For those I love, I will Sacrifice.: Overwhelming list...

"No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life."

"No one is entitled to anything. We must appreciate every opportunity we get in life. Being humble and thankful goes a long way. "

I believe that we should be thankful every day, not just on days where we cook a huge turkey and stuff our faces with our family and friends. Last year at this time I was thankful to get one more day with my daddy and praying that nothing would happen to him while he was out patrolling the streets. Last year at this time I was thankful for all my friends and family who stood beside me throughout the hard time of Sam's death and helped me see the little joys in life that were still there. This year I am thankful for all that and so much more. I am thankful for all the people who stood there and helped me make it through all the ups and downs of this past year and never gave up, even when that's all that I wanted to do. This year I am thankful....

My sister and I.

Family

Padre

My mom and I.

For always being there for me, dealing with my pain in the butt self, allowing me to grow, share, give and receive love.

Friends

For being true friends who stand by me, know my quirks and weird ways, but have decided to love me regardless.

Deputy Samuel Kent Brownlee

For teaching me many lessons, some which I have yet to discover. For laying down your life for me, my family, and the community. For being a downright beautiful human being.

Heather Brownlee

Heather Brownlee (Deputy Brownlee's wife) and I
at the first annual Sam Brownlee Memorial Ride.

For helping me through the death of Sam. For being there for me and supporting both of us as we try to move on.

Pain

For helping me become a stronger person.

Tears

For helping me express my deepest emotions.

Disappointment

For helping me realize what truly matters.

Love

For letting me feel what it means to truly be alive.

Hugs

For always making me feel safe and secure, and for telling me that I am not alone.

Lazy Sundays

For reminding me to take it easy and to take a break from life.

Lovers

Lovers of life, lovers of goodness, lovers of art, lovers of growing, lovers of helping people see the beauty of themselves.

Being a nice person

For always knowing in my heart tat I am a kind person. Even though I'm not perfect, I would never intentionally hurt someone.

Being able to smile

For always knowing that I can make someone's day better with one smile, even if I can't make my own better.

Country music

For always being a feel-good music.

Kindness of strangers

For always knowing that a stranger could make your day a little bit better with a smile or by an act of kindness. For example: I just got a card yesterday from the Mormon church which I haven't attended in YEARS...The card was a thinking about you and told me that they were thinking about me as the anniversary of Deputy Brownlee's death is fast approaching and that they hoped I could find comfort and support this week in loved ones. Kindness of strangers.