Grateful on Thanksgiving

It is Thanksgiving morning 2019. Today I am feeling both grateful and thankful.
I am grateful for the sacrifices others have made on my behalf and for the opportunities that I have had presented to me. I am grateful to my teachers, mentors, and friends who have spent with me though they may not have understood the value of it to me. I am grateful to those who took the calculated risks with their life's journey that ultimately led to opening opportunities for me, not the least of which are my father and mother and grandparents. These people made decisions that affected my world. They made the decisions intentionally for that reason, to allow their children and grandchildren to be in a position for a better life.

I am thankful that I slept in a warm bed last night next to my wonderful, beautiful wife. When I got out of bed, the furnace warmed the house when I pressed a button. The lights went on when I flipped a switch. I had a hot cup of coffee as I sat and considered my blessings.

There is food in my cupboard and beer in my fridge. I have the choice of what I want to eat today and good food is easily accessible to me. I took a hot shower and I have clean, warm clothes to wear. My girls are home, healthy and laughing. My son and daughter-in-law won't be home but I am thankful that it is because they are moving to a nicer apartment this weekend. I'm excited for them.
I am thankful today for what I have been truly blessed with and I am grateful to those who came before me, who took risks and made sacrifices so I could have the opportunities to succeed and the understanding of what it takes to excel.