Isn't Everyone Grateful for the Easy Peel Seal?

Seriously, you mean to tell me you aren’t indebted to the gel padded bike seats? What about the middle lane? Self-propelled lawn mowers? Craigslist and Ebay? Shoes and accessories? Papa Murphy’s gourmet veggie pizza? Extended deadlines? Paying your hair stylist way too much money just to hear him/her say, “You have the most fantastic hair!”

Maybe those things are too complicated and self-indulgent. But, what about the simple things in life? A hot shower? Clean water to drink? A good book? Warm sheets and blankets to get cozy in? Quality time with family and friends? Ice cream?

I asked my friends to tell me what they were grateful for, besides the palpable answers such as God, family, friends and church. Below is a small sampling or the original responses I received:

· That I don’t have crazy ear hair.
· Firearms and the opportunity to shoot them with my son.
· A warm toilet seat in the dead of winter.
· I am thankful that I am free from Islam.
· My blood work and ultrasound came back negative.
· For where I have been and where I am going.
· Colors!
· My daughter is able to come to the school where I work.
· Challenging life experiences that make me stronger and give me a different perspective.
· The troops that have died for our freedom.
· An amazing job where I get to do everything I love most.

I felt that this was quite an array of varied responses. It helped me to reflect upon the real meaning of this Thanksgiving season and be prepared to share my appreciation to those less fortunate than myself.

How about a friend who motivates and encourages you? The saint who shows up on you front door step to give you a home-cooked meal after you’ve given birth to a baby or had the flu all week? The neighbor that is there for you when a tragedy strikes? The spouse who forgives and loves unconditionally? The unexpected gift selected just for you?

Many are without jobs, homes, food and money this year. What are you grateful for? Is it the simple and/or complicated? Are you in need or able to give? Whatever your circumstance may be I encourage you to find what it is that you are grateful for and pay it forward.

Word of the Week: Each week I add a word that I have come across in my reading for which I did not know the definition. After looking it up I try to use it in my future columns. Last column’s word was lardaceous, meaning lardlike and fatty.