A few things I’m thankful for

Bookworm is off to spend her holiday with family and my family will be coming to my house for the usual turkey dinner.   But I do want to take a moment to share a few things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful that I have the best wife in the world, who has brought me more joy that any man deserves for over 32 years.

I’m thankful for my two sons who didn’t quite turn out the way I’d planned (never quite took the interest in education I’d hoped) but who have turned out to be fine young men even so.  They are honest and decent and hardworking.  One little example — both sons had to borrow my second car recently and both, without ever being asked, filled the gas tank before returning the car.  They’ve turned out all right.

I’m thankful I live in a country with the world’s best health care system, one which I’ll be using next Monday when I have arthroscopic surgery on my knee.  Wish me luck!

I’m thankful I live in the finest country in the world.  We may not always live up to our own ideals, but I treasure that we have those ideals and honestly aspire to reach them.   I fear sometimes we criticize ourselves too much and give our nation too little credit, both for its accomplishments and for its dreams.  I’m proud to be an American.

I know it’s selfish and sad, but I’m thankful I’m here in relative safety and not with our brave young men and women in Iraq.  I don’t believe in God, but I hope I’m wrong and I hope He keeps them safe.

I’m thankful I live in a society in which I can say I don’t believe without endangering myself and my family.

I’m thankful for the common decency and courtesy people show each other every day.  My son commented the other day how amazing it was that every day at rush hour we put our faith in the total strangers driving the cars flying by all around us.  He’s right.  We look out for each other and cooperate with each other in ways we never even think about.

I’m thankful for Bookworm, as fine a friend as I’ve ever known.  I’m thankful she allows me the privilege of sharing her forum here from time to time.  I’m thankful so many of you think enough of Bookworm to come and visit here from time to time.   

I hope each of you spends your holiday surrounded by your loved ones and I hope you, and they, will take a moment to share with each other what you are thankful for.   And, if you’d like also to share your thoughts with the other readers in the Bookwormroom, all the better. 

Happy Thanksgiving!