Being Thankful

Our culture spends one day a year stuffing itself with food, and way too much football, according to my wife! (just the right amount, as far as I’m concerned)

I’m glad that at least once a year, we can stop and recognize all that we have to be thankful for. If this year you don’t feel you have much to put on the Thankful list, I will share mine, and it may resonate a little.

Let’s start with, I’m still here. To do anything in life, you have to show up. The ultimate in showing up, is waking up every morning, and putting your feet on the ground. (Oh yeah, I can be thankful for my feet)

When I was young, I took for granted my health, and just assumed I’d be here for a long time. My parents lived well into their 90’s, if that means anything! But let me just start with being on the planet, and the opportunity to be alive.

I can really make a list with just about anything. Thankful for the sunshine. For the rain. (especially here in the desert)

The air to breathe, isn’t it amazing, really? This planet seems perfectly suited to humans, and as a human, I really appreciate the air! (as a trombone player, air also comes in very handy!)

I have a great wife and daughter, so family has to be high on the list! (I have to wonder sometimes, just how  did I get so fortunate?)

I’ve had a really nice career, so let’s not go too far without mentioning that. I got to play for a living, no small thing. There was a long time I wasn’t so sure that was going to happen!

I had tremendous colleagues and friends along the way. Traveled to many places, performed so much music! What a gift, and wasn’t I lucky! And now, I can NOT travel and play concerts! 

Retirement is definitely on the list, for as much as I loved my career, there comes a time when you move into the next part of life. I’m glad to give up the opportunity I had, and pass it on to someone new, younger, and likely better. (oh they won’t have my gorgeous beard, no I still have that!)

So does this list make you think of anything you can relate to? Are you still breathing? Thank the air! Do you have feet, have you got shoes to put on them?

There is always someone with more than me, more money, more talent, more fame, and certainly others with less. I see what I have, and how can I not feel grateful?

So maybe the first Thanksgiving wasn’t quite as much like a Hallmark card or Charlie Brown movie, it was still a time that a group of folks stopped and said they were thankful. For whatever it was, and it may have been just having enough food and a decent harvest. Even in it’s current form, it’s survived through many years. 

Sure, it now means Black Friday and the start of “The Great American Shopping Spree” but it can also be an opportunity to look around, and be thankful. 

I know a little pooch that is very thankful to have a lap to sit on! Simple really, just so much, if I stop and look around.

But don’t worry, tomorrow I will be trying to sell you something (hurry, all items marked way down, while supplies last, etc.) But for now, I am just going to be Thankful! And maybe once a year isn’t enough….