Recognize & Appreciate

With the holiday season officially upon us (it may be 2:41 in the morning but it's still Thanksgiving!) many people anticipate gathering and celebrating with families.  It's a time for rejoicing and reflecting, for remembering and relatives.  

And for some people, parts of that is harder than others.  

It's easy to get caught up in the haves and have nots and, in my case, the who and who nots.  It's darn hard to celebrate when it feels like half the members are missing.  
 
We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.--Frederick Keonig

And so I remember that I'm thankful for the courage my brothers have to go out and explore the opportunities and chase the dreams that take them far away on holidays.   

I'm thankful that it's hard on them to be away because it means we're a good family who cares about and genuinely likes to be around each other.

I'm thankful that we are all healthy enough to be out and about enjoying opportunities--whether it's eating turkey at Grandpa and Grandma's table or prepping to run a half Marathon in Kuwait.

I'm thankful that I have a job and that some of those tax dollars go to buying the Navy and Marine boys some turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy.  In a round-about way I am feeding my brothers today.

I'm thankful for the family who are pursuing opportunities closer to home--that means I get to spend the day with them.

And when I read back through my list I realize that it truly will be a good Thanksgiving indeed and that I'm thankful for family both near and far.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!