On Thanksgiving

We are having Thanksgiving at my house tomorrow, with approximately 15 or more people. Besides turkey and ham there will be the usual Thanksgiving side dishes: Sweet Potato Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Corn Casserole, Cornbread Dressing, Cranberry Gelatin Salad, Sister Shubert rolls, etc. Then there will be Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate Pecan Pie and  Peach Cobbler for dessert.

I love Thanksgiving Day because it is the time set aside for families to gather together and count our blessings.

I'm thankful for my two daughters and four grandchildren, who are the light in my world.

I'm thankful for my health.

I am thankful for the people I meet each day and the stories they tell me. I recently talked with an elderly man who was taking care of his sick wife. They had been married for 62 years. People don't share stories any longer.

I am thankful for my home, in light of the many tornado victims who lost their homes this year.

I am thankful for a job when I have seen so many lose their jobs in this poor economy.

Most of all, I am thankful for God, who has made me stronger during my trials and hasn't given up on me yet.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Veteran's Day

Today I would like to think of all the veterans in my life, past and present.

To my Dad, who retired after 20 years in the U.S. Army. He served in Vietnam the year I turned 10 years old.

To my step-son, who is in the Air Force Reserve, and has served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the home front he is a police officer and the father of four.

To my brother and brothers-in-law, who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. Two are Vietnam veterans.

To my neighbor, who is in the Army National Guard and has served in Iraq.

To the husband of a good friend, who is also a Vietnam vet and suffered from PTSD.

To many friends who have been military wives or Army brats, as I was, and can relate.

To my late husband, who was a wounded veteran from the Vietnam war, and served 20 years in the U.S. Army.

To my co-worker, who juggles a full-time job with being a mother and a weekend warrier with the National Guard.

May God bless all of our veterans, and especially the ones in your family and circle of friends.