Thankful

Every year I struggle when it comes time for Thanksgiving. I am always thankful for my family, my health, my home and my job. But, that seems to be a pat answer for most people. This year their have been alot of people who are posting what they are thankful for and alot of times it is for things that do not seem to matter: their bed, a glass of wine, chocolate, etc.

Veteran's Day this year is what got me thinking about being thankful. It is due to all the men and women in the Armed Forces who have laid down their life so that the general public like me to be able to be thankful for anything.

I see this sign all the time on my stove that says, "Home of the free, because of the brave". How true is that? Many men and women, braver than I have spent their life in the military defending freedom for the USA.

So this year, I am thankful for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. They do the job that I know that I cannot do and many others cannot do either. Often a thankless job and one where they will not spend these upcoming holidays with their family. Regardless of your political views, I thank you. I raise my glass to you and pray for you now and in the future for a speedy trip home and restful Thanksgiving to you now and always. God bless.

Life from a 2 year old perspective

So we were outside raking leaves this afternoon, when PJ says that she wants to go see Nang Nang. My grandmother passed away two weeks ago and this is the first time that Payton has said she wanted to go see her. Lauren told her that Nang Nang was up in Heaven with God and Pappy and that she could not talk to her in the normal way. But, if she wanted to talk to Nang Nang, she could sit on her back porch and talk to her. Off the two of them went.

PJ was sitting on the back porch talking away to her great grandmother when she again said she wanted to see her. Lauren reminded her again about where she was now at and that she was no longer at her home. To which PJ replied, "Then, I will just sit here and wait for her to come home. "

Simplicity is what PJ reminds me constantly life is about. It is not about outdoing the Jones', but just loving what you have unconditionally. Relationships and family are what we should be focusing on and not everything else. I guess I will join PJ in her quest to look at life differently.

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when
But I'm sure we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through, just the way you used to do
Till the blue skies chase the dark clouds far away