Thanksgiving 2019

I am thankful.

I am very thankful I was born in a country where opportunity abounds.  I am thankful was born to parents who thought I was a damn fine child.  I am thankful I was taught how to behave and I was educated in good schools.  I had nothing whatever to do with any of those things---I was just fortunate, while many in this world are not.  Thank you, Lord.

I am thankful for my wife, who loves me and uplifts me in all I do.  I am thankful for my children, who still care enough about me to call occasionally.  I am thankful for my brother, who has been a great assistance to me.  I am thankful for friends, who offer understanding and words of support.

I am thankful for the beauty of our world and the colors of the trees and skies and mountains and plains.  I am thankful I had a grandfather who took me fishing as a child and allowed me to know the joys of experiencing nature and the thrill of a tug on the ole fishin' pole.

I am thankful for sports.  I am thankful I could play baseball and football and basketball when I was young.  I am thankful for the wonderful foods we eat and the huge diversity of flavors and aromas. 
I am thankful for family pets like dogs and cats.  I view them as ambassadors of God, sent to us to ease our stress and provide us with understanding and love.

I am thankful for those I encounter who offer a smile or words of encouragement in a trying time.  I am thankful for a comfortable chair, a hot mug of coffee, a cool glass of wine, a warm fire.  I am thankful for a guitar on a cold, dark and lonely night.  There is no greater friend in time of need, other than Jesus.

I am thankful for God the Father and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who have made my life possible.  May God bless you all as He has me.