The Things I am Thankful For

Yes, that’s right, it’s been nearly a month since I did a post here, and the first one I do is a Thanksgiving themed one. Original, right? But, I felt the need to write this one, so I am.

So, let me start by saying that I’m thankful for all the stuff one would expect to be thankful for:

My job. It’s a great place to work, with good people. It’s not the best pay in the world, but it’s better than not having a job, as so many do right now. And it has great benefits. On top of all that, it allows me to write. Not really AT work, but I don’t have work that I have to bring home, so I can write when I’m there. Also, I was able to take a week off work to stay home for week 2 of NaNoWriMo, which enabled me to get a good lead on my word count. This place also has a gym, which allows me to work out without taking time away from my schedule in other places, which I really like. So, I’m thankful for my job.

My family. By this, I mean my immediate family, my wife and son. They are beautiful, loving and wonderful people. They can also both be pains in the asses, but then, so can I. They are supportive, too, my wife especially. My wife has supported me in my writing carrerr, not only by being a cheerleader, but also by being a drill sergent. Several times this month, my wife could be heard throwing this phrase in my direction: “You’re supposed to be writing, mister!” And while I love that, what she’s really saying is that she knows it’s important for me to get some writing done, and so while she would rather that I was getting housework, she understands and supports it. As long as, you know, I’m actually writing. And I love her for that!

I am thankful for my brother and sister. They were both huge influences on me as a kid. I got into drawing cartoons because my brother did that, and I learned to appreciate musicals as a result of my sister’s love of them. And my music tastes were definitely shaped by the two of them. My relationship with them has changed, of course, and it continues to change as we all grow and evolve, and I’m thankful for that, as well.

I’m thankful for my parents. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Seriously, though, I am thankful for them. When I grew up, all my friends had parents that were divorced. Even the one kid that didn’t have divorced parents when we first met, his parents divorced during high school. My parents are still together, and I appreciate now how much work goes into making a relationship last as long as theirs has. I also want to give a special shout out to my dad, from whom I got my love of all things sci-fi and fantasy. When I was a kid, my dad had me read the Hobbit, and the Lensmen series. Both remain some of my favorites from the genre to this day. So, thanks for that, Dad!

I’m thankful for my health. My parents have recently been both having some health concerns, some of which have made me realize I need to take better care of myself. And so, I have. I’m thankful that I have health now, and that I have the opportunity now to make sure I don’t have some of the health problems they are having now.

I’m thankful for some of the stuff I have. I know this may sound shallow, but I don’t really think it is. I’m lucky compared to some, in that I have a roof over my head, a computer to work on and play on, and a TV to watch. I have a smart phone that allows me to keep in touch with my wife in numerous ways, as well as keep up with friends and relatives that might live in whole different states. So, shallow or not, I’m thankful for my stuff.

I’m thankful for the fellow writers I have connected to online. Without some of you, I wouldn’t be the writer I am now. And that’s just the simple truth.

Mostly, though, I think I am thankful the most for the relationship I have with God now.

I know that may come as a surprise to some, and for others it’s probably leading them to click the little red X up in the corner. And that’s okay. Everyone is allowed their opinion, and I’m not here to try and change that.

I feel like I should point out here that I’m not a Christian. This is not to say that I don’t believe in Christ, or the Bible, I do. Jut not in the same way as most who identify as Christian. It seems to be a select group, like a nationality or ethnicity, and I’m just not a part of that group. It’s really as simple as that.

But, I do have a relationship with God, and that’s the only way I know how to put it. I’ve learned in the last few years how to communicate with God, how to pray to him, and how to turn over things in my life that I can’t do on my own. And my life has become better for it.

So, I’m thankful for my relationship with God.

Also, I’m thankful for you guys, the ones reading this blog right now. Knowing that there’s at least a few people out there interested in my opinions on things makes this all worthwhile.

So, thanks! And I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving weekend.