What I am Thankful For

Every year I make a list of things I am thankful for. Some seem silly and/or petty, some may seem cliché, and God only knows what the rest will seem! But whatever they look like to others, how big or small they are, we should all stop the running around for a few minutes during the holiday season and really count our blessings. So here I am counting my blessings and being thankful.

1. I am thankful for my family. We've had our ups and downs through my life, but when it comes to it, I could have had a lot worse. As my parents get older, I realize I won't have them forever, and thinking of life with them is gone is tough to do. More often now than ever I find myself in situations and think, "How would handle this if my parents weren't there to help?"

2. I am thankful for my friends. They are few and far between and we don't have a lot of contact anymore. But I know that I could depend on most of them no matter what happened.

3. I am thankful for being able to tell the difference between friends and buddies.

4. I am thankful for the doctors who saved my father's life. As many of you know, dad had some major heart surgery this past year. Thanks to those doctors, I have some more time with my dad.

5. I am thankful for Lily. Lily is our dog, for those who don't know. She's the second dog in my life. Poochanne was the first. And Lily taught me that even when a best friend leaves you, you can open your heart to another and make yourself realize the old one doesn't mind.

6. I am thankful for the SPCA. Because had it not been for them, Lily probably would have died alone on the street.

7. I am thankful for my job. It isn't the best, it is full of drama, and it doesn't pay well. But I have a job that is still paying my bills even if it doesn't allow for any luxuries. But it has shown me that not all co-workers and bosses you get in life will be evil creations of Satan. It has shown me you don't need to break yourself for money. And it has shown me that people can be good or bad, but the good ones make life better.

8. I am thankful for my last job, in armored transport. It taught me some useful skills like defensive driving and how to navigate NC. But it also showed me that there are people out there who don't care if you live or die, who are willing to step all over you, hurt you, ruin you because they think it is their God given right. It taught me that some people holding the money think that makes them God. It taught me that no job is worth ruining my body and health over. And it taught me that I have to have standards high enough to not accept another job like that as long as I live.

9. I am thankful for our armed forces at home and abroad. No matter what anyone says about the war, politics, etc., these men and women have given up their comforts, their families, and everything they know and love to risk life and limb without much of a thank you. Sure we thank the soldiers as a whole, but have you taken the time to thank a soldier as just one person? Have you taken the time to read the names of the dead and injured soldiers instead of just shaking your head at how long the list is? Have you thanked a random soldier you passed at some point? Have you thanked a Vet? No matter what they fight for, our freedoms or our oil, whatever it is they are fighting for you. For your way of life, your culture, your freedoms, and every thing you think and do at every moment.

10. I am thankful for our police, firefighters, EMTs, etc. No matter what you think of that cop who gave you your last ticket, he/she goes out there everyday knowing it could be either really routine or they could get shot to death in the blink of an eye. Police, firefighters, EMTs, etc., are fighting the war at home and they deserve a thank you.

11. I am thankful for the Constitution. It allows me freedoms and it allows me the freedom to defend it how ever I feel fit.

12. I am thankful for my right to bear arms and for my firearms. These allow me to protect myself and my family to the best of my ability. I am thankful to have never fired my guns in aggression, but thankful they were there to stop any need to do so. My Sig especially, which was my duty gun in armored transport and has defended my life faithfully for four years.

13. I am thankful for the chance to be thankful. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed to us.