Reflections of Thanksgiving

As a young man growing up in a two-parent, stable household I had a lot to be grateful for. However, there is no way I could have realized how much at the time. Each year at Thanksgiving everyone would share the things they were most grateful for, including the oh-so common answers of having a job, good health, and family. To me, these things all seemed rather meaningless as I had never known a time without them.

50 years and a lot of life later, I have a different perspective and a whole new level of gratitude. I am thankful for my job, for the work we do for our clients and how it makes a difference in their lives. I am thankful for the people I get to meet every day. I am thankful we get the opportunity to perform tasks for them that they would not be able to do on their own.

I am thankful for health. My wife and I have gone through quite a time battling with various cancers and surgeries and I find myself more grateful for every breath and minute together. I'm thankful for my church and the extended family that God has brought around us. People not only born from the same parents but others who have become so close that are now permanently a part of our lives.

We are thankful that there are and always will be young people who don't realize the value of the things we take for granted. And I'm thankful that I am getting to grow old with my best friend and together we are grateful for each other and all of you.

Our deepest hope for you is that you enjoy every moment of this holiday season, that you value each breath you take, and that your friendships and relationships grow sweeter every day.