I am thankful

Thanksgiving is upon us and, like so many people, I feel compelled to list the things that I am thankful for.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my family. I have a wife that loves me and two boys that are simply amazing. I am thankful I have a good job, a roof over my head and friends to call on in my times of need.

I know I could go on and on because, truthfully, I have a lot to be thankful for. I am truly blessed, I suppose.

But instead I want to list some things that I think all of us should be thankful for.

This past election has divided this country. As of last count, there are at least 30 states that have folks filing petitions for secession. Folks that are fed up with the state of our Union, with the government and with how the elections turned out.

While I understand their anger and feelings of despair for our country here are some things that I want to remind them of.

We live in a country where, truly, anything is possible. A man who lives on the street can build himself a successful business tomorrow.

That person who is unemployed can learn a trade or skill to become employed.

That town that sees their coffers running dry can put good ‘ol American ingenuity to work to fill it again.

Too often we, especially folks of my generation, look at the world as if we are owed something. They seem to think they can sit on their ever expanding behinds and be handed a career, a family, money, food or anything else they want.

And they can get it too, if they work for it. My dad taught me that I can accomplish anything if I put in the time and the effort; if I worked hard for it.

So here then are some other things I am thankful for.

I am thankful that my parents raised me to work hard and not expect a handout. I am thankful that, despite suffering from a bout of “I don’t know what I am going to do with my life” I continued to work hard and have built a life for myself. I am thankful that I don’t have the attitude of “you owe me.”

As to the secessionists, here are some other things I am thankful for.

I am thankful that I don’t live in fear of a rocket exploding into my home. I am thankful that I can walk down the streets without fear of someone killing me because I am not of the same religion, genetic make-up, cultural background as they are.

I am thankful that my children can go to school and learn in a safe and controlled environment.

I am thankful for the ability to go out and vote. I am thankful we have a military that fights for our freedom.

But mostly, I am thankful that I live right here in the United States of America. You see, no matter how bad you might think it is, it really isn’t.

Tomorrow you will roll out of bed, you will eat your breakfast, get ready for work or to find work, and you will head out the door. You will get into your car, with your cell phone in hand and you will drive off on roads that are maintained and free of death and destruction.

So think about it, is it really that bad? I don’t think it is. And, to tell you the truth, I am pretty thankful for it.