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Thirteen Things I’m Thankful For This Year

Posted on Nov 19, 2008 under Uncategorized

It’s been a long while since I’ve participated in a Thursday Thirteen, but with Thanksgiving just a week and a day away I thought it would be a good time to list a few things that I am personally thankful for this year. I’ll not bore you with the details of the ups-and-downs we’ve faced, everyone has lows, and nobody wants to listen to someone elses’ problems. I’d rather focus on the things that keep me smiling, motivated and happy that I’ve lived long enough to see them.

So these, my dear friends, readers and even you, casual passerby, are the things that I am thankful for this year. Some are big things, some are small, but each of them is dear to me and my family.

Thirteen Things I’m Thankful for This Holiday Season
(In no particular order)

My health, and the health of my family: Of course that might go without saying, but every day that we’re all here to enjoy each other is a day I’m thankful for.
My Wife and her support: She has stood by me for two years while I made little or nothing and worked on growing my business. She never wavered, even when I did. She put her second career on hold when necessary to bolster me, and she’s the love of my life.
My Dad: We’ve been through rocky straights over the past 15 years or so, but the rift seems to have been mended.
My Grandparents: Grandma has been feeling under the weather this year, but at 85 years young, she’s still kickin’, and Grandpa is still as imposing as ever at 89.
The Medical professionals of the U.S. Armed Forces: Who are doing a wonderful job helping my son and our family deal with his learning delays and autism.
Miss Sandra and Miss Carol: My son’s speech and vocational therapists, who visit him weekly and whom he loves dearly.
My Sister: Who has once again joined the forces of the working, and in doing so has found a bit of herself that she was lacking. Not that she wasn’t doing well, I’m just glad she’s happier.
Good Friends, both online and off: There are not many people that I call a close friend. But of the ones I do, they are my friend for life, and I’m here for them, as they have been for me.
The men and women of the United States Armed Forces: Be they reservist, guard or active duty. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine or Coast Guard, I salute you one and all. You go through difficult times so that the rest of us can do our thing. I’ve been there. If you need me, just call. I’ve got your back.
My Dogs: It may sound a bit redneck, but they’re just as much a part of my family as anyone else, even when they are being totally annoying. (And they got a place on this list by being totally annoying)
My readers, visitors and guests: Without you I would have nothing to write or worse, would be writing in a vacuum. You validate the work that I do in a small way every time you drop in and as a whole, make it possible for me to continue doing what I hope is a good job. I thank each and every one of you.
My children: All of them, wherever they may be. One is grown with children of her own. Others are nearly grown, or in different states and time zones. One I have never spoken to and the one who lives with me cannot speak. All of you are are a part of my thoughts every single day, whether you believe it or not.
Laughter: Both the fact that I’m able to laugh, and the laughter of others. it truly is the most powerful medicine known to man. Don’t believe me? Try having a bad day when a two year old is giggling. See if you can. I doubt it.