Truly Thankful

I started this blog in February of this year, so this is my first ever Thanksgiving post. I have a lot to be thankful for!

I give thanks for:

My wife, who has given so much of herself so that I can stay home with the kids and write. She herself is a magnificent writer and editor and a blogger extraordinaire (she has three blogs!), as well as a passionate, principled, strong, caring woman. If you'd like to get to know her, her blogs are Every Day is a Miracle, Marie's Book garden, and One Year to an Organized Life.

My children; despite their inability to sleep in on holidays--especially on holidays. (Why is it I have to drag them out of bed on school days, but on Thanksgiving morning they're up with the lark and wanting to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade?). They are all founts of enthusiasm and imagination and not a day goes by without them making me laugh and love life because of them.

My family across the miles. My mother (who will be with us next week to celebrate Christmas) and sister in England, and my brother in Australia. (It's bro and sis's birthday today, although they aren't twins. I think he's just about forgiven her for ruining his fourth birthday party.) I also remember my father, who died in 1992. His birthday was on the 20th.

My family in the States; my in-laws who do so much for us, from babysitting to home maintenance and repair. My sister-in-law and brother-in-law in Puyallup and their three boys, "The Cousins," whom my own three boys adore.

Church community, sharing a radical vision of discipleship and proving that God's got the most wicked sense of humour. C'mon, where else do Catholics and Lutherans worship together as one community and see that all this denominational bickering is such a waste of time and talent?

Friends, both virtual and non. This year I have been blessed, through the agency of this blog, to meet a number of wonderful people. Much thanks to Susan at Stony River and her community of microfictioneers. Susan's had some struggles this year but she continues to host Microfiction Monday. Through that meme I have "met" many wonderful writers, chief among them Sylvia K, Suz, Hope, and DanPloy, who are regular commenters on this blog. Their support means so much. I have also "met" Robert Kent, the middle-grade ninja, who has been inspiring.

My critique groups, who give me so much support and valued critique. I am a better writer because of you all.

Health; despite a currently bum knee, I am in the pink. Wealth; I'm not Donald Trump (thankfully!) but I have so many more financial resources than the vast majority of the world's population, and need to remember that. Happiness; if I'm blue, it's usually of the light blue variety and I snap out of it very quickly. I just need to stop and count my blessings for the world to change color.

My imagination, which never stops peopling my dreams, both waking and asleep, with amazing characters and events. I trust one day other people will share in the fruits of my creativity.

Paths not yet crossed, and the belief that the universe has great plans for all of us. (Okay, I appear to be channeling Julia Cameron right now.) I'll stop and let Julia speak for herself: "The universe falls in with worthy plans and most especially with festive and expansive ones." (The Artist's Way.) As we give thanks today and every day, may we remember to open ourselves to the power of "a thousand unseen helping hands."