A year of thanks

As the year comes to a close, I reflect back on just how much has happened this year and how fortunate I am. 

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family.  My parents, grandparents, wife and wonderful daughter.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how fortunate I am to have all of them in my life, and how happy I am to be a part of theirs.  My Grandmother on my father’s side celebrated her 90^th birthday this year and it is a blessing to have her in such good health.  My grandfather (he husband) again celebrated another milestone as he reached his 95^th birthday and also is in terrific health.  Both are still married, live together unassisted and take great care of each other.   I can only hope that my life is a fulfilling.  My grandfather is my idol and I cherish and respect the lifelong lessons that he has taught and bestowed upon me.

I am thankful for my parents, they are both amazing people and have made me who I am today.  Although I have been out of the nest for MANY years (25 to be exact), the beliefs and values that they instilled in me as a child still carry with me to his day.   I am forever grateful for their unconditional love and continues support in everything I have done and accomplished in my life.

I am thankful for my wife.  She keeps me on my toes and is still the one for me.  She has been the better half for a number of years and I hope and pray that our relationship will continue to grow and strengthen for years to come.

I am thankful for my amazing 3-year old daughter Samarra.  She is my reason.  Of all the challenges that life has brought before me, none is more rewarding than being the father to such an amazing little girl.  Every day I am blessed by her presence and the undying sense of purpose she brings to my life.  She is an inspiration to me and inspires me to continue to become a better person.  The love between and parent and their child is one that cannot be expressed in words alone and I am forever blessed to have her in my life.

Finally, I am thankful for the great men and women who serve our Nation in harm’s way.   They are the protectors of our freedom and the keepers of the American way of life.  The sacrifices that they knowingly and willingly have made to our Nation should inspire us all to ask what we can do for our country.   These brave young men and women are the reason we, as a Nation are who we are today.  Despite our many struggles and frustrations, America remains and will always be the greatest nation in the world.  Our strength is in our diversity and it is our strength through diversity that will carry us through peace, war, trials and tribulations for millennia to come.