Thanksgiving seems to slip by all too quickly in the rush toward Christmas.

I too love Christmas, but I wanted to pause a moment and consider the many blessings in my life that cause me to be truly thankful.

Please indulge me these few serious, and not so serious, things that cause me to give thanks this holiday season.

I’m thankful…..

…for my wonderful wife, whom I truly don’t deserve. She’s my partner and my best friend.

…for the daughter I cherish. She is wise beyond her years and a true joy in my life.

…my parents did such a great job in raising me and my three siblings. Love, faith and discipline shaped our household growing up.

…my dad took me fishing. Fathers, don’t ever underestimate fishing trips with your children. These are among my fondest childhood memories.

…there are young men and women guarding our borders and protecting our freedom. We Americans can sleep safely and soundly because of their sacrifice.

…for my job. Budget cuts and layoffs abound these days, even at my workplace. Probably yours too. Having a job is good these days.

…I don’t dwell on my 401K too much these days either. That’s flat out depressing.

…that worldly things are just that. Things. They don’t matter in the grand scheme.

…for the volunteers who continue to arrive in South Mississippi helping to rebuild homes and restore hope three years after the hurricane.

…for a praying church family. I get at least a half dozen E-mails daily lifting up prayer concerns and requests. Awesome.

…I had the chance to own a 1966 Mustang. (wish I still had it)

…I paid at least some attention to my mechanic-carpenter-handyman father. I should have paid more attention.

…for 20-20 hindsight. Isn’t it amazing how we’d change some things; given the chance for a “do over”. We live and learn.

…for the prayers of my mother during my younger and wilder days.

…I never got a DUI in college (see above)

…that we said the pledge of allegiance every day in elementary school. It didn’t seem to matter much at the time, but that hits me now whenever I say the pledge.

…that I live in a place where great seafood abounds. I love all kinds of fish.

…that I have great places to go kayaking and good friends to share those adventures and fishing trips.

…that I have just enough handyman skills to be dangerous and daring. You may recall an earlier article about rebuilding the shed. It’s not done yet. Enough said.

…for plants and flowers. Growing plants and flower gardening are among my hobbies. I think that comes from my dad and his parents, who were raised on farms.

…I have fond memories of at least two of my grandparents. (two others died while I was very little)

…I had the chance to ride with the Blue Angels in one of their F-18 Hornets. One of the real fringe benefits of being a news reporter.

…for coffee. If you’re a coffee drinker, you can no doubt relate.

…I still get to visit Illinois during the winter. Although my wife doesn’t miss the cold, I do. A week long visit in January is usually just enough.

…that gas prices came back to earth.  I thought we’d never again see gas less than three bucks a gallon.

…for sunrises and sunsets. We have some of the most beautiful of both on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

…for Reese’s peanut butter cereal. Part of a nutritious breakfast. (I can dream, right?)

…for my brother and sisters. Even though I’m the black sheep (the only one who moved out of state) we still keep in close contact and enjoy reunion visits.

…for my dad’s bird houses.  He’s a skilled wood worker and I have a collection of his homemade bird houses. I’ll always appreciate them and think of him.

…to live in America. There’s no place better on earth.

…for faith and freedom. Both are too often under appreciated.

Finally, I’m thankful for Jesus Christ.  He gave Himself for me. Unworthy me.

Thanks be to God.

- STEVE

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