It would be so easy to be down and ungrateful on Thanksgiving. Especially THIS year. So many reasons to be unhappy. But I believe that true happiness is a choice and, although this year has presented me with some incredibly difficult challenges, it has been packed full of blessings and love from all around me. What am I thankful for? 1. First and foremost, my wife Susan. My partner and my rock. She is my greatest supporter. She understands me and is always there for me. Whether at my side, or in the background making the huge machine of our lives continue to hummmm along as I have an unpredictable schedule. 2. My daughters, Melissa and Samantha, of whom I could not be prouder. They have both grown into such fine, beautiful, smart, funny, competent and confident young women. They continue to teach me life lessons every day. I couldnt imagine life without them. 3. My career. I am thankful that I work in a business that allowed me to shift gears on a dime back in May when I lost my job. I was able to start freelancing almost immediately, but at my pace and schedule, which allowed me to spend the last months of my parents lives at their sides and to do the best for them that I could. Then, after their passing, spend the time I needed to attend to their affairs. And now, the ability to ramp up my activity and turn this freelance venture into a viable business. 4. Another blessing I felt this year was in the manner of my parents passing. My parents died only 3 weeks apart, and in the same hospital one room apart. We spent many months trying to get them into the same facility so they could be together at the end which was successful and beautiful. But the blessing here was that neither one actually had to experience the passing of the other. My mother died 3 weeks before my father but by that time he was no longer responsive and while he may have known on some level, he didnt have to go through the pain of watching his wife pass. 5. My sisters Jean and Joyce. The three of us have been through hell this year, but have pulled together in the toughest of times to care for my parents and then to manage their estate. Each of us has stepped up when appropriate and done whatever necessary. We have made some very difficult decisions and done it all without the bickering I hear is so common in times like this. 6. My circle of friends (too numerous to mention) who either stepped up to help or just hug me in a time of need or stepped back unquestioningly when I needed space. So many of you made such a significant difference but may never know. A few of note would be our close friends Laurie and Timothy Skelly who always manage to be there for us, no matter how difficult it may be for them, and for that I am forever grateful. Also, John who stepped up to take over some of my volunteer responsibilities, no questions asked, when I was not capable of thinking clearly about anything. Also, all of my local friends who made the trip, many of them TWICE in one month, up to Mahopac to be there for me at my parents wakes. Please forgive me if I didnt mention you by name here as there are so many of you. You know who you are (at should) and you are all in my prayers. 7. Good health. I am thankful for general good health in life for myself and my family. 8. And finally, I am thankful for all of the little things in my life that arent actually little things. We have a lovely and comfortable home that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It is our happy place and our refuge. We eat well and can put food on the table every night which is a luxury that not everyone has. We live modestly and like it that way. And THAT is what I am thankful for this year.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 12:54:52 +0000