Things to Be Thankful For

Being born in America, where so many privileges are automatically there for us when we are born, makes it very easy for us to take them for granted. It’s not until we’re actually made to slow down, and sit down, to take inventory of those things that we realize how our quality of life would deteriorate without them.

To our ancestors who came before us, who cut the forests, planted the fields, built the cities, and fought the wars that established the laws which we still expand on today, I am thankful. For the mistakes our forefathers made and we know not to repeat again, I am thankful. For the ability to receive an education, be literate, to have the choice to be whom and what we want to be, I am thankful. Each and every one of us can be part of a family or community of some kind, be it a biological family, adoptive family, church family, or another like minded group of people who build community together, I am thankful. For the air that we breathe, the food we eat, and the clothes we can wear upon our backs, I am thankful. For the variety of good jobs we can choose from, to the cars that we can drive, the fuel to put in them, and the freedom to move across this great land at any time we choose, I am thankful. For every morning that I wake up to see another day, am in good health, and that I can love, care for, help, and encourage others in some way, I am thankful. I’m even thankful for the mistakes I have made and those I will make, because I learn from them. For everything, I am thankful.

Not only at this particular celebration of Thanksgiving should we be thankful, but every other day of our lives as well. In the hustle and bustle of everyday American life we tend to forget just how good we have it compared to other people throughout the world. Good times leave us with the strength to make it through the bad, and without bad times we wouldn’t know how good the good  really are. Every day is Thanksgiving! God Bless You All! God Bless America! 

Thankful

There are a lot of daily stressors and challenges that can make it hard to focus on the positives in life. Thanksgiving is a reminder that each person has something to be thankful for, no matter how large or small. Personally, I have a lot to be thankful for. 

To start, my family is what I am most thankful for in life. Without them, I would not be as happy and healthy as I am today. I am thankful for their support, their knowledge, and their company. They have pushed me to become a better person and supported my interests and hobbies. They have helped guide me through life without pushing all of their views on me; they let me find my own. They have always supported my hobbies as if they were their own and they constantly remind me of what makes me special. They have given me so many opportunities in my life and have supported me through every one. My parents have been together since High School and I have been very fortunate to have my whole family living under one roof. They have shown me not to take life too seriously. We constantly play pranks on each other and run around the house playing games. My dad started his own business, which has supported us financially our whole lives. Although there are many ups-and-downs in having your own business, he has been a great example of how hard work and dedication pays off. My mom is a very strong person as well. She works full-time and also takes on so many other responsibilities. She keeps our family on track. I am also thankful for my younger brother who is the peacekeeper of our family. I am so thankful for their support, their goofiness, and their love.

I have come to the point in my life where I do not have as many close friends, but I have the ones that will be there for life. There is something very satisfying knowing that you can trust and count on these people no matter what challenges you are faced with. For that, I am thankful for my friends. These girls are the people I laugh with, cry with, and experience new adventures.

I am also grateful for the amazing opportunities I have had in my life so far. Thanks to my parents, I have had the opportunity to go to WVU and gain an education. I also have an amazing internship at QVC Network that could possibly turn into a full-time job. I have been able to travel and see parts of the world I never thought I would.

Of course, I am also thankful for my health and the health of my family. We have been extremely blessed throughout our lives. Just like everyone else we have had sickness and death, but we have become stronger and remain active and healthy throughout it all. There are so many things I overlook on a daily basis such as having a home, a car, food on the table , and my dog who cuddles with me every day. Many people do not have those simple things and I am thankful to be in such a lucky position.

Giving Thanks

      I have many things that I am thankful for. There are even more things that I take for granted every day that I should be even thankful for.  

     First and foremost, I am thankful for my daughter, Abby. She has taught me so many things in the short seven years of her life, but none more than what unconditional love is.  Of course, we have our ups and downs. She’s seriously 7 going on 17! I feel bad sometimes that I couldn't be a stay at home mom with her when she was little, but I know that when she gets older that she will understand.

     I am also very thankful for my very loving and supportive family. I’m not always the easiest person to live with, but they take it all with a grain of salt. They are my total support system. When I fall down, they pick me up. They rejoice in my triumphs with me. I try to be the strong one for everyone else, but I know that if I need them, they would be there for me in a heartbeat. I don’t know what I’d do without my crazy little family.

    

    Having a full time job with pretty good benefits is something that I am very thankful for. I can provide insurance for my daughter and myself, and also help pay the bills. I may not enjoy the work that I do all the time, but it is steady work. I have friends and family that works seasonal jobs, and the off season for them is hard. At least I know that rain or shine, cold or hot, my work is still there.

     Online learning is something that I never really thought about being thankful for, but I am. As a full time employee and a full time mom, my days and nights are pretty full. If it wasn't for online learning, I’d never be able to find time to further my education. As much as I appreciate my job, I don’t see it as my career. I want to be able to do something I love on a daily basis. I’m also thankful for the fact that finally, after trying two other online colleges, WVU has fit my needs.

     I’m very thankful for the fact that all of my needs are met. Sometimes it’s easy to take them for granted, and complain about things that I can’t get or don’t have. Those are all wants though, and we all need to realize that some people worry about how they will pay their bills each month or eat.

      

     Last, I know that it may sound superficial, I am very thankful that I was able to take Abby and the rest of my family on vacation this year. It is something that I've always wanted to do, and it finally came true. The majority of my family had never seen the beach or even went out of state, at least that far out of state. The complete joy on Abby’s face when she saw the ocean for the first time melted my heart. I’m very thankful that we all got to experience the wonderful time that we had together because no one knows what tomorrow will bring. My sister recently found out she is pregnant. Now, her, her husband, and my mom will not be able to go next year. I’m very excited to be an aunt for the first time, but it will be bittersweet to go back to the same place without them.

     There are many, many other things that I am thankful for. I’m sure that I’m forgetting a lot too. I feel that I have a very fortunate and blessed life. We should all be thankful every day that we wake up and have what we have. 

Thankful

There are so many different things that I could be thankful for, having my health, having a home, having a job; so many things to be thankful for.  The biggest part of my life is my wife and my two children, and I most thankful to have them in my life.  They are the reason that I get up every morning and go to work, and they are the reason I’m spending my extra free time taking this class and other classes at WVU.  I’m working to better myself to be able to provide for them and make sure I can make a better life for them than the life I had growing up.  My family gives me so many different ranges of emotion, from happy to sad, from frustration to encouragement.  Whatever the ranges of emotion, I know they stand with me no matter what, whether I’m wrong or right.  My families loves me through everything and I try to take in all the little moments because when I look back even though I have young family, the time is going by quickly.  So, without question my family is the one thing that I am most thankful for!

When I look at my family I have to start with my wife, Sara.  Sara and I have been together for 12 years and we just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary this year in July.  While we have our ups and downs as I’m sure most couples do, we always support each other.  We have always been close from the first time we met, it was an instant bond, and we always make each other laugh.   I know no matter what she’ll always be a part of my life, because we have a strong bond based on our love for each other.  We have two wonderful children, my son Will who is 7 and my daughter Emily who is 3.  My son loves to play baseball and golf, he also like basketball and football, he also is looking forward to going hunting; overall he is an active 7 year old.  Will has a great personality, very caring and very funny; he is always trying to make a joke or do something goofy.  He is currently in the 2^nd grade, and doing well at most subjects.  My little girl Emily is very sweet, but she is also ornery too.  She loves the color pink and she loves clothes.  Emily has just started preschool this year and just completed her Thanksgiving Day program.  Sara, Will, and Emily provide me all the motivation for everything I do with my life, I feel a sense of pride to want to do everything in my ability to support them in anything they want or need. Like most families there are some days that are more challenging than other days but the whole adventure and experience cannot be replaced for anything.  So, as I get to experience another great holiday season with them and get to experience another Thanksgiving and Christmas; I’m most thankful to share it with them.

As we approach Thanksgiving I am asked “What are you thankful for?”  The answer is not as easy as the question.  You see, I am not only thankful, I am blessed.  Blessed with health and home, blessed with the love of a good man, and blessed with the life of two beautiful boys.  As a young woman, daydreaming of my future I could not have envisioned a more perfect life.  We don’t have much, but the Lord has always provided what we need.

I never thought in my late twenties and single that I would be thankful for that time in my life.  I remember crying and praying for God to send me someone, anyone to love and love me.  They say looking back that you have 20/20 vision – I can clearly see now that the Lord was teaching me patience.  The lesson was a hard one, but waiting for the right man was definitely worth it.  As I was walking down the aisle at age thirty, the same girls I was so jealous of were signing their first divorce papers.  I have been married for 13 years now and love him more today than I ever thought possible.

The day before our second wedding anniversary, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy.  It was a difficult delivery that ended with an emergency c-section.  Clayton developed jaundice and was very ill.  I developed kidney and cardiac problems.  We were in and out of the hospital for weeks following the birth.  I am so thankful that he is an extremely intelligent, sharp witted, and handsome pre-teen.  I am looking forward to watching him develop into a man.  I can’t wait to see what wonderful things lay in his future.

After 8 years of trying to conceive another child, my husband and I decided it just wasn’t meant to be.  Well meaning family members would ask, “When are you going to have another one?”  My standard answer became, “God only gives you what you can handle and Clayton is it!”  Little did I know what God had in store for our little family.  Colton was born April 2011, again, another rocky pregnancy and even worse delivery.  The c-section lasted 2 ½ hours and while the baby was fine, I was fading fast.  The doctor later told my husband, “That is as close as I have ever come to losing a patient.”  I had internal bleeding that they could not control from the adhesions I developed with the first c-section, and this was the reason why I had difficulty conceiving the second time.  I had a long recovery, but would not change a thing.  My 2 year old is a wild, rambunctious, curious child that exhausts me, yet makes me smile every day.

In answer to the question, “What are you thankful for?”  I am thankful for the sound of a child’s laughter, for stepping on Lego’s in the middle of the night, for fingerprints on glass, and for the sentence “What is for dinner, Honey?”  Those are the signs and sounds of a happy and healthy family, but more than anything I am thankful for a caring God that doesn’t always provide what we want, when we want it.  He has provided me with more love than I could have ever thought possible.

Thankful For Silver Linings

For someone who shares so much with those around, I am really a private person. I am truly one of those people that many know, but very few people truly know. In order for you to have what I am thankful for in proper context, I am going to step outside my comfort zone and share some of these things that I normally keep locked away. It is common knowledge, to those who know me that I have had numerous spinal surgeries and that for a short period last year I was on a walker and then a cane. The cane I used belonged to my grandfather, who is deceased. I was having a hard time transitioning off the cane, until I accidently left it hanging off the handle of the shopping cart at Target, but not the one in my town. It is also common knowledge that I stay at home and am the primary caregiver to my youngest son, Max, and that much of my day revolves around him. Most people know that I had a career and was making a nice salary, prior to my recent two spinal surgeries. I had short term and long term disability insurances, but what most do not know is that there was a huge gap between the two that caused some serious negative financial setbacks for my family. Now we are getting into the difficult part to share, all the stress of this has pushed my marriage to the brink, but we fought for each other. We kept most of the discord private, as not to let our anger poison our friends against one another. We are now in a better place than we have been and are more aware of each other’s stress in tough times. That timing was great because recently we found out that our health insurance premiums are taking a huge increase, that my financial aid was $1,300 short off covering tuition, and several other bills where increasing. Oh and we had a few back taxes, from some prior poor decisions when we did some locum tenems work. I shared all of these things I do not normally share, so that you may understand why I am so happy and excited that I recently won a lottery jackpot, that I will see very little of. It is by no means making me rich, but it is removing many burdens. It is buying me time to finish school next semester and return to the work force.

 
This video is from the youtube account of the Virginia Lottery, who owns all rights to the video

I am also truly thankful for the normal things people express gratitude for, this time of year. My family, my friends, a roof above my head, anyone that knows me knows that I am thankful for those. I am not happy that my back was injured at a young age, but I am happy for some of the paths my life went down as a result. If I had not injured my back the first time, I probably would not have gone to x-ray school and moved to Virginia. Then I would not have met my beautiful bride, which means no Max. I am thankful for a rocky first marriage, because it resulted in three beautiful children. If I had not had surgeries three and four on my spine, I would not have made the decision to stay at home parent, but situation forced me into that role. I am thankful for that experience. I shared my unusual tale of thanks to remind you that even the bad things in life can have positives. Do not dwell on the negative of your life, though we all do at times, but make your focus the positives that come from or will come from your situation.

What am I thankful for?

 

I am thankful for my family, first of all, without them I would be no one.  I was raised in a family who cares very deeply for one another, and with each generation, the love grows more abundant.  I am thankful for my children, whom I love more than anything in this world. I never really knew the meaning of true, unreserved love until I held my children for the first time. For those who have children, you know what I’m talking about.  You would give your life in an instant to save your child’s, without hesitation. 

I am thankful for my faith, because when life becomes difficult, even almost unbearable -  I remember that there is a higher power that knows my fate and the reasons for my having to cope and muddle through. I know that there is ultimately better place, a better existence, and hopefully I will earn my way there one day and be with my loved ones that have passed on before me.  I try to remember to be thankful for the good times, because sometimes when life is going smoothly, it’s easy to forget to be thankful.  Even the smallest gifts in life should be cherished and not taken for granted.

I am thankful for joy – in any way it may come to me - in a song, a gift, a smile, an unexpected gesture from someone – because with joy we have pure, unadulterated happiness. 

Photo from: Lisalately.com

 

I am thankful for my health, because I know it can be taken away from me at any time. I have more to accomplish in this lifetime and I am thankful my health allows me the opportunity to do and learn more each day.

On a selfish note, I am thankful for vacations. I work very hard all year to enjoy a week of total relaxation and indulgence. I find my way to a beach, somehow, somewhere, either by driving east to the Atlantic coastline, or better yet, sailing to a Caribbean island, and just enjoy the peace and beauty it offers.  I gaze at the horizon, then close my eyes and feel the warm salty breeze, listen to the rhythmic waves and feel peace beyond words. I think heaven must be similar to this, at least for me.

Photo from: Palloc.com

I am thankful to have a job, when the economy is so trying - and to live in a free country, even when politics and our government seem to be awry. I think freedom is undervalued by some - people living in the U.S. should be thankful for their rights – the rest will work out – we just need to be patient.

I am thankful for life. This summarizes everything for me. I am alive and given the opportunity to experience all of these things, people, events, places, family, beauty, joy, freedom.  Life is a gift – everyone should do what they can to make the most of their life – work hard, enjoy the family and friends that are around you. Don’t take life for granted – give this life your all – make it count. Life is good.

Photo from: goodvibeads.com

 

Thankful

“Those who thank God even in trials, turn the burden into blessings. So keep your faith close to your heart and God will provide.” (Nishan Panwar)  I believe this with all of my heart.  I have had quite a few trials in my life going back to age 15 when my father died.  I have pretty much been on my own ever since then.  I quit college to get married and have babies and that was great for ten years, but ended in divorce.  I was then a single parent for the next ten years while putting myself through x-ray and then radiation therapy school.  I met and married my current husband at church – he was my daughters’ youth leader – and we have been married for 16 years. I am just now returning to school to complete my Bachelor’s degree, which has always been my dream.  I have two classes to go and I couldn’t be more thrilled about that!

I have two daughters and they have been such a blessing to us.  My oldest daughter, Amanda, graduated from college in Greensboro, NC and has since married and had a daughter of her own; she is now 15 months old and a joy to be around.  She is learning so much in day care – she is learning Spanish and sign language – it is so adorable.  

 

My youngest daughter, Caitlin, graduated a few years ago from dental hygiene school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  She and her husband have three boys – ages 6, 5 and 5 months – that is an active household!! 

 

Being a wife, mother and nana are the greatest joys in my life.  I have a job I enjoy and I love all of my family but nothing compares to this.  My husband and I love those four little kids so much – we go down to North Carolina as often as we can to see them.  They each have their own little personalities and qualities that I enjoy getting to know.  As they grow older, it feels like we get farther away – they call me their nana from far, far away and that breaks my heart.  I would love to be able to move back to North Carolina and be the nana that they come home to after school or when they’re sick or to sleep over on weekends. 

 My husband’s parents are in their 80’s and are needing some assistance.  We have recently put our home up for sale and are planning to move in with them to help out.  This was a big decision for us but one we feel strongly about.  We will stay here in West Virginia and help care for them for as long as possible.  We also have an insurance agency that my husband started three years ago.  I see our future being centered more toward North Carolina when the opportunity presents itself and that will make us a very happy and near Nana and Papa. 

Thankful, The Rest of the Story

    When one ask me what I am thankful for it is really a no-brainer because it is my family.  I have the sexiest most beautiful wife in the world and three great daughters that accept me for who I am and all have supported me over the years.  Deploying to Iraq three times and moving across the country several times has brought great hardship to all of them so for this they will always be what I am most thankful for.  With that said I could write 500-700 blog on this but I have decided to hit the middle of the thankful list.  These are the things that never get thanked and maybe few people actually know about and what makes me who I am.

     I am thankful that over the last 23 years I have got to work with some of America’s finest men and women.  Some people go through their entire life without ever meeting a hero.  I was lucky enough to stand by 100’s of heroes every single day I went to work.  I am thankful that those same heroes will continue to serve as I make my way out of the military service. 

    I am thankful for my dog Saber my 3 year old Doberman, and probably one of my best friends.  She loves me and is extremely loyal.  She often kisses me for no apparent reason and if I step out of the house for more than a few minutes she greets me as if I have been gone for a year.    She tags along with me around the house and has never complained once or offered a great idea.  She has sat with me during many of my favorite football team Atlanta Falcons and has yet to tell me how bad they suck. 

    The next thing that I am thankful for is music.  Music has played an important role for me as being very therapeutic for me my entire life.  I love all music and I could probably do without a TV in my house and only listen to music.  I am a huge Jerry Lee Lewis fan but and very thankful for Hanoi Rocks and Faster Pussycat.  Hanoi Rocks is a Finnish band from the 80’s that most of you have never heard but many of the bands you do or did listen too were influenced by them.  Faster Pussycat was another 80’s band that are so dirty and sleazy but just flows with true sex, drugs, and rock and roll.  I could not be thankful for those bands if it was not for the father of rock and roll and that’s why I am a huge fan of Jerry Lee Lewis the real king.  I am thankful that he has recorded so much music within his life and I will always have really good music to listen too regardless of what the radio plays.

    Next up is Southern Comfort and Coca-Cola both good together as well as separate.  I like to drink and for some reason many are not comfortable saying that.  So I am thankful that I can and not concerned if it is socially correct.

     I do not think people realize how thankful I am of boxer briefs.  I understand that many were born into this phenomenon but if you are an older male you remember the days of boxers or briefs.  I hated them both until one day in the store I saw this odd new thing called boxer/briefs.   I bought them and took them home to later be dancing through the house with my new comfortable underwear on.  I still do not know who invented this concept but have often said I would kiss them if I ever met them.   

                         “SO NOW YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY”

What Im most thankful for.....

I could go on for hours talking about the things I'm most thankful for, so I won’t bore you with everything I could write, instead I'm going to narrow it down a little bit. first and foremost I'm so very thankful that I have a big wonderful family that has been here with me through thick and thin, no matter how bad things are, I know I can count on them to hold me together there is nothing any better in this life than sharing holidays, birthdays and Sundays having dinner and making the best memories with all of them. Secondly, I'm so very thankful for my wonderful mother and father and their great parenting skills. I'm sure it was not that easy raising six children, but they instilled morals and values in all of us that still sticks with me today. I'm so very thankful for my friends, throughout my life I have had many acquaintances that came and went, but I do have a handful of friends, that has been around for twenty years or more and I know I can count on them to be there day or night. I'm thankful that I met Jeremiah Hockensmith and really found the true meaning of love, although I struggle everyday to live with the fact that he passed away. I'm thankful the Lord gives me the strength to go on another day. I'm thankful that I live in America and have rights and can make my own choices and have the freedom to do as I choose. I'm thankful for the hardworking men and women in our armed forces, as well all firemen and women, policeman, doctors, nurses, and any other field that helps others. I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head, and food in my stomach, probably too much to be honest especially when there are so many others around the world that have nothing. I’m thankful I got to spend as much time as I did with my two grandmas’, my pap, my sister, two aunts and an uncle before they passed away, at times I feel angry because I feel as though I got short changed because they were taken away from me, but I have wonderful happy memories with each and every one of them. I’m thankful for my beautiful niece Anna and nephew Aeryan, when I feel like I can’t go on, they give me the inspiration to keep on keeping on. I’m thankful for my godson Rakeam, It’s been a blessing to see him grow into the beautiful young man he is today. I’m thankful that I was born and raised in West Virginia, although at times I feel like I’m missing out by living in a small town, this will always be home sweet home to me, I could never imagine living anywhere else. And last but not least I’m truly thankful for each and every day I get to wake up and see the mountains, smell the fresh air, for this I thank God my savior.

 

Anna and Aeryan

J

 
                                                                      

Jeremiah 1/11/86-7/6/13

Going Mobile and Social!(?)

The statistics on mobile device use presented on this week's video were fascinating.  Its hard for me to fully comprehend the reality of those statistics. The area of West Virginia in which I live still has many areas of the county that do not have cell phone service or internet available. (except via satellite).  Therefore I know of several area businesses that do not rely on social media to promote their business, nor do they use mobile devices to the extent these statistics portray, IF at all.  The business that I am working with to develop a social media plan has never advertised in its history.  The owner displays his business name and number on the side of his work van,  just had a second hand iphone 3 given to him so that he would have a "work" phone, and he does all of his business by phone calls, face to face communication, and paper.  I texted him recently and he called me and said that his thumbs are too big for that sort of thing!   Yet, he has more work than what he can handle.

He is very intrigued by the idea of a presence within the world of social media because he is wondering if it will, perhaps, attract a different kind of customer.  I was thinking of that kind of customer while watching this video and wondering what this business owner AND his customers would think.  Taking statistics into consideration along with the statistics of mobile use in my area is something to consider when developing a plan for his business.  The plan to promote via social media and to be accessible via mobile devices must be a plan that is workable and relevant for both this business owner and his customers.

Consumerization of Mobile Services is NOW!

If your BIZ waits for Mobile to come, chances are it will fail.

http://youtu.be/GRiwUCXPo8U

iPhone sales alone outpace births in the world.   This is only iPhones!  There are hundreds of other devices that a are mobile and offer mobile services. 

If the average person has their mobile phone in reach 14 hours a day, sleeps 8 hours, and eats 3 meals a day, 24 hours pass!  Can you image what where people take there mobile phones  :) ??

US companies are at the top of the scale when it comes to Consumerization of mobile services.  75% of companies allow employees to use their personal device at work.

The business I work in today if changing to align with a more Mobile workforce offering tablets to access corporate data for employees in the field and offing a more flexible work experience.  These trends are new and exciting and most definitely changing the game!