Thanksgiving

As many malls were swamped and internet sites were jammed with deal seekers I find myself enjoying the simpler things in life like friends and family. I find myself being thankful for so many things, many are often taken for granted.

Health: I am thankful that I have my father who has fought two battles with cancer and is doing just fine. Thankful that my uncle is doing well and was able to reminisce with him about fishing, boating and his time in the Coast Guard stationed five mile from where I now live. I met a cancer survivor who did not expect to live and now has two children at a birthday party for my son. Thankful for the digital meters that check the blood sugar level so my son Sean won’t collapse from low blood sugar. Thankful to have all of my family and relatives except two for the past 22 years.  We lost two, one in 1987 and one in 2006, they are truly missed but we are thankful for the ones we still have.

Family: Spending moments in time with the ones who have cared for you in your earlier years – now turning the tables and caring for them. We find ourselves now telling them to put on sweaters, eat more vegetables, not to smoke and to get some rest. We tell our parents to drive carefully and to call us when they arrive at their house.

Food: While many people go hungry in this world we have plenty to eat. I am thankful everyday that my children don’t go hungry, thankful that I never experienced hunger for more than a day or two, thankful that for so little change I can help others feed those with less.

Our men and women in uniform: I am thankful for my time in uniform. Thankful that the majority of my buddies are still with us and saddened that many are left behind. I am thankful for those who serve now protecting our freedom so we can all sit down and enjoy our meals, speak our mind and sleep well at night.

Children: I am thankful for the children I have. I never fail to learn something from them or enjoy a moment in time when I wish I was their age again. I could not ask for more.

I am so thankful for these and many more things that were once taken for granted. As I stay at home playing with the kids and watching football this weekend I will continue to be thankful for all the gifts I have – none of them bought at the store.

Si vis pacem, para bellum