Gobble gobble gobble

What is Mark thankful for I ask myself.  It takes slowing life down a bit to really assess my situation to truly see everything I am thankful for.

 The first thing I am thankful for is really simple.  Each little breath I take is a gift.  Trying to fill each breath of each second of every minute of my life with meaningful things to cherish is to be thankful for.  There are plenty of people everywhere in this world that do not have anything to be thankful for. 

I am very thankful for my wife Lyndsey in so many ways.  For here continuing patience with her slightly immature at times husband is monumental.  She is much younger and very wise in her ways.  We make one heck of a team.  I am thankful for that. 

I am thankful for my extended family; my wife’s family has embraced and loved me like a son.  My father in law is one of my best friends.  I am unbelievably close to them all.  Closer than I have ever been with my own flesh and blood. 

Two of the best things I am thankful for are my little monsters.  Princess Ava and Prince Isaac except me into their kingdom and share their love for me with every single breath they take.  I love them so much. 

And I think the thing I am really most thankful for that just hit me.  I lost my father nine years ago on the day after Thanksgiving giving me a cruddy taste in my mouth I haven’t been able to shake until this year.  Thinking of him and all he was thankful for and to all of the people and animals he made better lives for makes me realize I should simply be thankful for the time I had with him and not the manner or timing of his departure.

I will be forever committed to my family and of the memories we will carve into each others lives as we share our time here together on this big spinning rock.  As long as all of them keep smiling and living wonderful, fulfilling lives with me included, I will continue to be very thankful, and humble as I gracefully age.

Oh, and one of my true passions, one of my greatest treasures that I am very thankful for, pumpkin pie, enough said!