With Thanksgiving this week, I am reminded of all the things I have in life that I should be thankful for.
I am thankful we have a roof over our heads; our home is warm in the winter and dry in the rainy season. Even though we don’t have air conditioning in the summer we are protected from the sun, and have electricity for a fan or two – things could be far worse.
I am thankful we have plenty of food and most of the necessities that make rural living less of a challenge. We have a fine garden that Laura works at diligently, which provides us a wide variety of fruits and vegetables.
I am thankful for our children that we get to spend time with including Grace’s new little sister, Lauren Elizabeth, our newest granddaughter from Abby and Michael down in the L.A. area. I talk more about Abby because she is the one that brings us grandchildren, but I am thankful for our other children too. I am thankful for Ellie, who lives in Denver and has a thriving career working with autistic children. I am thankful for CJ, as without him, this paper might not happen on a weekly basis. I am thankful for John, who seemed lost for a year, but is back on track and pursuing his goal to be an English teacher. And last but not least (I went by age), I am thankful for Jaxon who spent the summer with us and is back at school working on his accounting degree.
I am thankful for our sisters and parents that are fixtures in our lives. I am thankful for my friends both here and across the country. I feel blessed to have them stay in touch with us. I feel blessed to have such an amazing woman as my partner.
I am thankful for my Green Bay Packers even though I have written this season off; the Pack will be back. Also, I am grateful to my staff, subscribers and advertisers that help keep this community newspaper published.
I feel blessed my family has what they need. These may seem like simple things that most people should have access to, yet sadly too many do not. I feel blessed to not be sleeping under a bush somewhere or in my car out in the woods or the street, like so many in our community.
I’ll leave you with my wish that you have a wonderful and thankful holiday. Enjoy! ~ djm