As
Thanksgiving drew near I caught little snippets here and there from various
outlets reminding us this is the time of year to be thankful. I appreciate the sentiment,
though I do wonder: what about the rest of the year?
I was musing
the other day while driving to work about how glad I am to have been born during
the time I was. I've been in the room for the birth of my daughter, seen a man walk
on the moon, experienced the birth and explosion of the internet, seen every
Super Bowl every played, plus pictures from the surface of Mars and the bowels
of space. I've been witness to a few wars, great societal advances like the Civil
Rights movement, the election of the 1st black president, to the adoption of
gay marriage in some states, and the resilience of people in the face of major
disasters like the World Trading Center going down, Hurricane Katrina, and the
Gulf oil spill.
I could sit
down and write a gratitude list and if I’m really honest about it the list
wouldn't end. I could include things
that are around me and part of my day right now, from the family I married into
that treats me like one of their own, to the awesome people that pass through
my experience daily. Realistically though I could not leave out all those people,
places and things I've known and been a part of over the course of my Life. I carry a little piece with me daily of all
that has passed before me up to today, I do my best each day to honor the memory
of those who loved me when I needed it, taught me tough lessons when required,
kicked my ass when I was being hard-headed and took the time to share themselves
with me to help nurture my growth along the way. Some days I can’t do it for
shit, others I’m spot on; that is part of the struggle of the human condition. I’m glad in a way I haven’t worked it all out
yet, I like it here and since I’m still here I have another chance each time
the sun comes up.
Living through
some of the things I've experienced and surviving some of the circles I ran in
I am grateful for the Life I have today. I can get out of my own bed without
assistance, in my own house, turn on the coffee pot in my own kitchen, then take
a shower with indoor plumbing, drive my car to work to make a few bucks as part
of the night crew, AKA The Breakfast Club at Night, only to return home to my hair
tie stealing cats and a pretty wife who's eyes light up when she sees me. As far as I can see it doesn't get much better
than that.
On this Day of
Giving Thanks I want to thank everyone that is been a companion in the wild
ride that has been this Life. And though I can’t thank those who are no longer on
this plane, I hope they left here knowing how important they were to me during
our time together and through the years since. To those of you in the reach of
my existence, thank you for sharing you with me. Life is great, pass it on.
