Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson


I am thankful for my family – parents, brother, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, ancestors. . .

I am thankful for my friends – you are a wide-ranging and diverse group of bandits and saints. . .

I am thankful for those people who smile and nod even though we are not entirely sure of each others’ name. . .

I am thankful for my surrogate nieces and nephews. . .

I am thankful for my education – it's a daily challenge, but so far, it’s gone well. . .

I am thankful for those who forgive me when I’m foolish or unkind. . .

I am thankful that God has a sense of humor and infinite patience. . .

I am thankful that from time to time I seem to make a difference. . .

I am thankful for those who’ve taught me love. . .

I am thankful for those who’ve whooped me upside my head as needed. . .

I am thankful for some very good doctors. . .

I am thankful for every bump in the road; every punch in the gut; every toe stub – and their lessons. . .

I am thankful to live in the United States of America and for our men and women in uniform – be they military or first responders. . .

I am thankful for constructive disagreement and honest debate. . .

I am thankful for great art, great music, great food, and great style. . .

I am thankful that I can be a productive member of society and contribute in my own small ways. . .

Amen.



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