It's that time of year again. Thanksgiving. (Sigh) I stop to think, what do I have to be thankful for? Having a special person to share my life with? Sure. Having parents as wonderful as one could ever hope for? You bet. Having a brother who means the world to me? Of course. How about having some neat folks that I get to call relatives? Yep. How about my friends who I care so very much about? Yes, certainly. But, what else?

I'm not homeless. That's a big one. I'm basically pretty healthy. That's pretty big, too. I may not have lots of things or the best of things, but I can say that I have what I need. I'm rather thankful for that, certainly. I don't have much money, but I somehow always manage to get by. Another thing to be thankful for, I must say. But, what else?

There are all those "things to be thankful for", like the sun that shines, the flowers that bloom, and the birds that sing. Oh, I'm thankful for all those things. For them being there, for me having them in my life, and for them being there for others to have, too. There's not only the beauty of the arts and sciences, but the ability to create, advance, and enjoy them. I'm thankful for that, too. But, what else?

Should I be thankful for being in this country? Well, yes, I am. Should I say thanks to those who have defended and protected us? Yes, and I do. Should I be feeling gratitude for the many gifts and kindnesses I've received over the years? Yes, yes, yes. And, should I be thankful for all the good things in other people's lives? Yes, always. But, what else?




I'll tell you what else. I'm thankful for being given the opportunity to reach another Thanksgiving so that I am in the "time and space" season for reflecting on all there is to be thankful about. Thinking about all that I have to be thankful for, not only what there is for myself, but what there is in the world and for others. Most of all, though, I'm most thankful for all that I have learned from life's lessons.

Oh, not all those lessons have been easy or fun ones, that's for darn sure. Too many relatives and friends have died, some way too young. I've seen friends and strangers suffering from illnesses and hardships. There have been too many wars, riots, rapes, and disasters in my lifetime, and I've known too many who have fallen victim to such things. I, myself, know the meaning of abuse, discrimination, depression, suicidal thoughts, hopelessness, and helplessness. How can all of this make me thankful?

Well, I'm not thankful for the suffering that any of those things have caused. However, I am thankful for the lessons that they taught me and how I have been able to face each new day I am given. I now do not take the good people and things for granted. I do smell the coffee. I do stop and smell the roses. I do gaze at the sunset and wish upon stars. I also face each of life's challenges with more confidence. Although I still stress and get a little crazy, I know whatever will be, will be. I've learned that some badness comes out of sickness. I've learned that it's the sin, not necessarily the person. I know that it's good to use our heads, to think, and to come to a better understanding of ourselves and all that is around us, but not to thinkand analyze so much so that it cripples our minds and lives. I know that life is too short, no matter how many years we live, and that the death of loved ones is a reminder of how much we should really be living our lives and not letting the little things get in the way or the negative things cast a darkness over everything.

Is there anything else? Yes and no. Everything I've written pretty much sums it all up. However, just being a survivor is something to be thankful for because it means the odds have been beaten and the joys have been celebrated for another day. I am a survivor. I've avoided death for another day. I have a roof over my head for another day. I have loved ones to hug for another day. I can hear the beauty of music and see the wonders of nature for another day. I can help someone in need for another day. Maybe there will be some bad news in my life, maybe I'll have another headache to ward off, but, then, maybe I'll hear someone laugh or see another rainbow. And, again, I will have and do have another opportunity to be thankful.