Not to be cliché…

I hate this time of year, I have since I was a kid. The reasons have varied over the years. Things get hectic, seems like there are always more households that all want you to come on the same day at the same time. No matter how hard you try, it seems that it is never long enough of a visit, “you spent most of the day with them last year”, or any number of other things make the day unhappy. I watched my parents go through it, I have been through it, combine it with some other things and what you find is my least favorite months of the year…November and December.

First you have Thanksgiving…

For way too many years I have been most thankful by the end of the day that it is finally over! The enjoyment has been lost in the hustle and bustle to get from one dinner to the next.

Then comes Christmas…

I nearly cringe just typing that word. For now I’m going to leave that one alone. Let’s just say that I am not a fan.

Well THIS YEAR…

I am going to try to enjoy the day. So in an effort to do that I am going to start by listing some things I am thankful for today…here we go…in no particular order…

1. The day before thanksgiving this year was in the 70′s
2. My family is home
3. I have firewood
4. I have a truly wonderful best friend
5. I have a truck that starts and drives when I need it too
6. Wood stoves
7. Close friends that love me even when I am grouchy (I know you are thinking “He could never be grouchy” but it happens)
8. I grew up in a wonderful household
9. Parent’s that poured their lives into my brother and I
10. Two calves that seem to be healthy (Long story)
11. The semester is nearly over
12. Kids that think I hung the moon
13. Manicotti
14. Brothers and sisters that don’t share my last name
15. So many people that love me I can’t fit their dinner’s all into one day
16. My memory (even when the memories are painful)
17. The long, dark, hard, and dangerous roads I have been down that have given me my story
18. People that prayed for me when they didn’t know what else to do
19. Letter’s written to little girls
20. Getting laid off (Who’da thought)
21. Draft horses
22. New starts, clean slates
23. Calm waters and smooth sailing
24. Friends who send texts telling me they are proud of me for hard choices
25. Dinner at Chili’s with my friend who sat and listened to me ramble for hours when my family was gone
26. My brother, though we fought like outlaws, when stuck in the stock trailer mishaps of our youth, I knew would always do his best
27. The first green of spring
28. My dad, drove me too many miles to count. I think we have been down every highway in Oklahoma together.
29. My mom who taught me how to sew, make butter, and lots of things I didn’t want to learn.
30. Those in my life that lead by their examples, push me to be more like our Savior, encourage me in my walk, and wait patiently for me to learn to be the kind of man I am meant to be. Thank you

This is by no means exhaustive, but I am tired.

I hope you can see yourself in this list somewhere. Don’t pass up the chance to tell those important to you, just how important they are, you may not get another one. Be thankful today. Love like you have never been hurt, live today like it will be your last, and drive prayerfully .

Until next time…

May your turkey always be moist, your pie crust never* always flakey, and your day of thanksgiving a happy one.

*I may be the only person in the world that doesn’t like flakey pie crust, so I won’t do that to you

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!