Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. Houses across the land were filled with loved ones and family making pilgrimages. Turkeys have been eaten. Pies have been devoured. Football has been played. Black Friday has played out across the nation with shoppers camping out for a chance to be first in the stores at the crack of dawn…or earlier…to pick up incredible deals on things for Christmas, some of them body checking anyone who got in their way.For me, Thanksgiving is a year-round thing…a daily affirmation of thanks for the blessings in my life…an attitude of gratitude that is a constant. Being thankful for the people in our lives that we love and those that mean the most to us. Thankful to wake up each day for another day above the grass. Thankful for all the blessings in my life. Something to me that is more than just a day on the calendar we celebrate food, football and shopping.
However, I do not take the time to express my thanks beyond my self-acknowledgment between God and I and those close to me. So this Thanksgiving holiday weekend I want to take the time to publicly give thanks for many wonderful things I am truly thankful for.
For my family; Dad, Sis, Mike Jr., Heather, Jason, Jonathan and Alyssa; your love is so precious to me and is the sunshine in my life. Although we don’t get to be together as often as I would like, I am grateful for the times that we do share and will do all to continue to strive to be closer together more often.
For Michigan; my home for most of my life. Your beauty, your seasons (though I am not a big fan of winter), and your comfort are a blessing.
For bacon; the champion of breakfast food items.
For all my online friends and followers on Facebook, Twitter and this blog; your words of encouragement and your reading of what I write is a tremendous blessing. Some of you have been with me since the Detroit music and radio days, some from more recent days in Lansing, some who just found me online whether coming across my writings or have caught the radio streams in the past. I am grateful for each one of you and hope that the connections continue.
For Pastor Mike, Mark, Hannah, Elizabeth, Al, Bill and Janet, Rod and Anita, Bill, Mark and Ann, and all my GLLC family; you are a true blessing in my life and have been a source of strength and affirmation of faith.
For a sense of humor; how else could I make it through this crazy thing called life?
For Eric; to watch your talents grow from the WWCM days into what you have accomplished in L.A. has been a joy and I hope that I was able to pass along any wisdom to help you on your journeys and successes.
For the Mag-Creator; you have made my back feel wonderful again after all the rehab and care and make me able to do things somewhat normally.
For avocados; your tasty goodness is a shelter in a dietary storm.
For haters; you have helped me to realize that I am not perfect, as well as realize that jealousy is an ugly beast and exists in all of us. Your criticisms have helped me to refine and adjust myself to be a better person. Without you I would not have the confidence that I am making a difference.
For Frederick, Todd, Jake and Peter; your example has helped me to understand that sometimes “business” trumps friendship, helping me not to have hatred toward those who wrong me no matter how much their egos, hatred, jealousy, greed and “demons” get in the way.
For chocolate; in any way I can have it. Candy bars. Cake. Ice cream. Truffles. A mug of hot chocolate or a café mocha. Even on the aforementioned bacon.
For D.J.; reminding me that doing the right thing is always the right thing.
For Patti; for many years you have been a dear friend, fellow broadcasting soul-mate and confidant. Your wisdom and patience with me have made me a better person.
Did I mention bacon already? And chocolate?
For Lily the Wonder-Dog; you have reminded me about the simple pleasures in life.
For my fellow “Reenoipers”; our continued connection since we graduated is a blessing and a joy.
For the person who invented the espresso machine; by creating a machine that manufactures a beverage that awakens my taste buds AND my brain at the same time, your invention is more monumental to my existence than the lunar landing, the microwave oven and the internet combined.
For my brothers and sisters in radio, media and voice over; your words of encouragement are the fuel that keeps the engine running, even if though at times it seems I am just idling at the stop light of life. I know that the light will change to green again and that the “red lights” in life are just to keep our pace from going too crazy.
For Linda; your incredible blessing has helped me to bring smiles to my kids’ faces again.
For Mark; it is a tremendous joy to not only have the opportunity to play alongside a very talented drummer, but I am grateful for such a true and dear friend, comrade in arms and a brother.
And last, but certainly not least, Susan; your love is the most beautiful I have ever known, a love that in the past few days has hit home…that I truly DO know beyond all just how much you truly love me. You are the biggest blessing to happen in my entire time on this planet, and I love you with all my heart.
For all these things and so much more, I have the attitude of gratitude. And that brings my life incredible beatitude.
