WHY SAY THANKS
Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday because it’s
all about being thankful. As we run, skip, hop, and jump through each year, we take one day to stop and think about being
thankful.
Why say “Thanks” anyway? Actually,
the question should be, “Why not?” Even during the most sad, painful, miserable, ugly days of our lives during
one year’s time, there’s always something to be thankful for.
Knowing God and knowing that I belong to Him
trumps all other reasons to be thankful. Through the worst of the worst, God is always there. Through the best of the best,
He’s always there.
It seems appropriate to me that Veterans Day
comes right before Thanksgiving. I live in the United States of America, the greatest country in the universe. We have been
kept great by the sacrifices of the men and women who gave huge chunks of their lives, and with many, their health, and with
far too many, their lives to keep us safe, secure, and free.
I am thankful that my father, a World War II
veteran, taught me to love and respect this country. I’m thankful that my husband, my son, my son-in-law, and it looks
like it will soon be my grandson, have, are, and will be standing tall and proud in their service to the United States of
America.
Almost forty two years ago, I chose to become
the wife of a brand new veteran of the Viet Nam war. Before my marriage, I knew a lot about the pain of separation from family.
So, my family now is my life. God has blessed me by giving me a son and a daughter who have blessed me again with eight grandchildren.
Other than the time my son was in the Army, and my infant grandson, Zane, left us for Heaven, my family have all been almost
within shouting distance all these years. For that I will be eternally grateful.
Saying “Thank you” speaks kindness;
saying “Thank you” speaks love. So why not say “Thank you.”
“Thank you” to God.
“Thank you” to my family.
“Thank you” to our service men and
women and our veterans.
“Thank you” to my friends.
