Gifts of thanks

I wish to give thanks on this day of Thanksgiving! I thank my Maker that I'm healthy and happy and living my life in a moral and ethical way. I am thankful that I have a beautiful wife who I love and who loves me unconditionally, an amazing daughter who is aggressively grabbing all life has to offer, and grandkids who I hope to help mold into incredible adults.

I thank my parents for raising and molding me into the man I am today, I thank the children I work with daily for making me a better man and I thank my friends and family for supporting me in my struggle to understand how to leave more to this Earth than I've taken.

I am thankful that I have a brother and sister who love me and am thankful that my mother and father were proud of me while they were living on this Earth.

My thanks in this time of grieving offers hope. Weeks ago I struggled to find hope. As my mother died in my arms two weeks ago and my father died last year in a sterile hospital room plugged into machines, I wonder if this world offers hope? Is there anything to be thankful for? Today I say yes! I am thankful for what I have, who I am and the people who love me.

Death is a curious thing. Often one battles with mortality; how long might I live, is there life after death, is my faith strong enough to reach the promised land, why am I this sad, and, as one approaches death, who will I see on the other side?

My mom was not unlike most facing death who wish to offer a life of thoughts and wisdom to those still living. Cancer is an interesting disease. As my friend Ronnie once shared with me, cancer is a beautiful disease. It offers the person dying time to share important thoughts and ideas to those still alive. My mom had this opportunity.

My mother's family all visited as she reached closer to heaven's door. She talked, and talked, and talked, and talked to everyone who might listen. She offered life-lessons, condemned those living with demons and praised those living healthy lives. She felt like the Messiah handing down wisdom from the "Wise One."

My mother was wise. At her funeral on Saturday, many spoke of her kindness, honesty, pureness, fairness and wisdom. I am thankful to have a beautiful mother who made a sizable difference in many lives.

Now for other gifts of Thanksgiving:

* I am thankful I had a great mom who loved me dearly.

* I give thanks for having plenty of food on my plate on Thanksgiving Day and pray for those who don't.

* I give thanks for all teachers who are constantly criticized by uninformed individuals who have seldom if ever walked into a modern school where every child is reaching his/her full potential regardless of his/her ability.

* I am thankful to live in a community that values education even when a minuscule vocal minority espouses otherwise.

* I am thankful to live in a community where raising a child is not the sole responsibility of the public education system but embraced by parents and families.

* I am thankful to have friends who treat me as family, grandkids who love me and a daughter who I am proud of.

* Lastly; even though this past year has been tough, I am thankful to be an American, to live in a beautiful state and have people in my life who love me.

Whining and feeling sad for myself is an option I wish not to partake. This Thanksgiving I wish instead to celebrate the great things in my life. I am truly blessed.

If you wish to comment or offer suggestions, please email Bill Rutherford at [email protected].