Every year, about this time I set my fingers to the keyboard to talk about the things for which I'm thankful. In these dark times, one might think that there would be less for which to be grateful. I find myself among those people that think that the world has provided me with so many things for which to be thankful, I cannot count them all. To be honest, during dark times we should reflect on what we love and what we are given more than ever. We all have things that were given us to which we have a deep emotional connection, and for these things I am truly grateful.
First item on my list is pretty simple and more complex that about anything I know. I am grateful simply to be alive. Just being alive is a miracle in many ways. If you count the number of ways a human body can break down and stop functioning or the ways others around us can accidentally or on purpose take our lives, I am in wonder sometimes that I still exist on earth. Many of you know that a couple of years ago I had a life threatening event. Blood clots prevented the flow of blood to my lungs. It could have killed me. It did not die, however, thanks to the love and prayers of my friends and family and the skill of the doctors and nurses that cared for me. If you are looking for proof that prayer works then just look at me. I am still here today because my friends and family loved me and the doctors and nurses loved life enough to dedicate their time to knowing how to preserve it. How can I not be grateful to these people. I would be completely remiss if i didn't include the emergency responders that stabilized my condition and got me to the hospital and for the dedicated people at Lifeline that flew me to Indy for treatment. Without all of these fine people, I would not be here.
The people in my life are a constant reason for me to be grateful. I start with many of my like-minded friends that I have contacted through my many interests. I have many friends that I have never meet that belong to the same Facebook groups to which I belong. I hope someday to meet the wonderful folks that populate the MouseJunkies group. These guys keep my love for Walt and his theme parks fresh. Many deliver the news of changes to the parks. They allow me to live vicariously through their photos and experience. Some have allowed me the honor of seeing into their everyday lives by befriending me outside the group. Thank you one and all for accepting me into this tight community of Walt Disney World Fans.
The next group I want to thank are the folks that I have met through the course of my everyday life that allow me glimpses into their world nearly every day. I have reconnected with some old classmates and friends from when I was younger. I see posts from the area I grew up. I've learned much about Crawford Counties contribution to the Civil war through these generous folks. I keep touch with the people I grew up with and see how teachers and friends from university are doing. I am grateful to all of you for allowing me into your lives.
Family is everything. Am so grateful to have both my parents alive and my mother in law still alive. We have ventured to Alaska together to celebrate my Dads 80th birthday. The beautiful Caribbean has welcomed us to celebrate my mothers birthday last February. My mother in law joined us for a Florida adventure last May. In addition to the constant love they show me, I am so grateful I can still take my parents and in-laws on adventures. My wife and I visit them as much as we can and It makes me happy to see them all.
I am grateful for my sister and her husband. We get along well and enjoy each others company. We plan to spend time in Europe next year with them. I am thankful for my wife's brother and sister along with their spouses. My wife's bother and I are, in may ways, alike. We enjoy many of the same things and have many shared opinions. Her sister is a kind woman that I enjoy being around. They both chose very wisely when picking spouses. Both my sister-in-law Vivian and brother-in-law Joe are amazing people.
I think the importance of being grateful for employment isn't out of place. I am very grateful I work for a company that pays me enough to feed, house and educate my family with enough spare money to take an adventure from time to time. I am grateful that I have interesting work to do and what I do makes a difference to the people I work for. That people appreciate what I do and that I make a difference in what I do provides me with a sense of satisfaction and some contentment. I very thankful for the benefits. Without my health insurance I'm sure that I would be bankrupt form my recent heath issues.
Finally, I am so blessed with the my family. My daughter travels the world helping refineries run more efficiently. My son works locally in retail. Both are better children than I deserve. They are funny caring adults now pursuing their own dreams, yet they haven't forgotten where they come from. All parents should be so lucky. My wife, of whom I grow fonder and prouder every day, has helped our public library stay relevant in this age of technology. Her brains and drive have given her the ability to, in many ways, revolutionize the modern public library. Beside all that, she is my best friend. She gets my jokes, most of the time. She is quick to laugh and to forgive. God knows I mess up enough. Her constant "half full" attitude to life is infectious and has made me a better parent and a better person.
In short, I have a good life. I hope I never loose sight of how lucky I am and remain grateful for everything that I have been given through out the year, not just when I take the time to state the things for which I am grateful. During this time of thanksgiving, I hope all of you are blessed by God and find happiness through the year. My wife always told me this and I choose to believe it. Everything works out for the best. The world may appear to be a dark place. But in the fullness of time I believe that through our efforts things will work out for the best. And may what ever God you worship bless you and even if you don't worship any God, I hope you find blessing, peace and contentment where every you are and wherever you go.
