Oh, Give Thanks....

...unto the Lord, for his mercy endures forever.

This Thanksgiving week has given me pause to reflect on the things for which I have good reason to be thankful. A brief list follows.

Marilyn and My Family. I have been truly blessed to be married to the most wonderful woman on earth for over 40 years. She's a constant source of delight and wonderment, and has given me 4 exceptional children who have grown into adults anyone would be proud of. I'm looking forward to spending some time with all of them (and totally blowing my diet :) ). Mention of family compels me to specifically include the people my children have chosen to spend their lives with. Without exception, they've chosen well, and I'm proud to have them and their children as part of the family.

America. She may be on the down side of middle age, but she's still the best place on the planet to raise a family. May God guide her people and our leaders to keep her that way.

Our Service Men and Women. Those who serve in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy are worthy of our most heart-felt gratitude. Their sacrifice to keep us safe and free should be cause to personally thank every one of them that you see in uniform.

My Parents and Grandparents. They sacrificed a lot to make me the person I am, and I am always grateful to have learned from them. Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Brockmann, Grandma and Grandpa Blake, Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wisdom and values you have shared with me. Your wise counsel guides me every time I interact with my Grandchildren. I hope I can pass on what you gave me.

My Friends. I have been blessed to hang out with some of the best people who walk the planet. I've rarely seen any of you when I did not learn something, or been outrageously amused. You, collectively, are proof that growing older is mandatory, but growing up is highly overrated. Stay young, regardless of how many birthdays you celebrate.

My Health. I may have a few (well deserved) defects, take enough pills each morning that I sound like a castanet when I come down the stairs, and am becoming more high-maintenance, but I am healthy enough to enjoy life, and can still make the leap into my Jeep when I want to go somewhere.

There are a lot more things I could list here, but I think I've hit the high spots.

Stay well, and take time this Thanksgiving Day to give truly heart-felt thanks to our God, because he truly is unendingly merciful and loving.