Ever So Grateful

Its the last day of November and, I think, like everyone else I am ever so grateful that it’s time for Christmas!

The music, the lights, the sounds, the cold weather, the movies… everything is better.

Christmas is the best time of year. You may be able to make a couple of arguments for other times; the leaves changing in the fall, the flowers blooming in the spring, the smell of the beach in the summer, but above all of those the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and…. feels? whatever, you know what I’m talking about. The overload of our sense at this coming time of year is so great that even the Grinch’s heart grew three sizes.

I’m not going to be the Grinch; You all know of my affiliation with religion so I’ll end this post with a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, whatever you celebrate. I tell you now that we need not be religious to enjoy this season of giving. Instead of focusing on religion I urge everyone to focus on the spirit of the season; giving of yourself to your family and friends. I do not mean simply giving gifts. I speak of being with each other and enjoying and cherishing that time together. My thoughts about the world and mortality have made me cherish my time with my family and friends so much more than I did before, so, even if you don’t agree with my thoughts about god I hope you will agree with me about this upcoming season.

I love you all, thank you for reading and stay tuned for more.

The Luckiest Man in the World

My darling girls, Crystal and Sariah. Thinking of them makes me feel like the luckiest man in the world.

If you’re reading this you’ve likely read some of my previous posts which if we did the math are likely 50% or more about Sariah. Its strange to think that at some point in the future I could possibly have another child. Truthfully its a bit scary to imagine having two kids to take care of, to have money enough to care for, to have room enough in our apartment for. For all of the scary parts, having gone through raising Sariah into the wonderful person she is, I would do anything I had to do in order to care for my children.

I may be biased in saying this but Sariah is the smartest child I’ve ever had the liberty to meet. I do believe that Crystal and I have gotten off easy on the parenting thing. We have all had our battles over the little things and I know we will have plenty more but for the most part it has been trivial and we all learn from them and they make us better kids and parents.

My love, Crystal.

It is very difficult to imagine my life if I hadn’t met her. I love the song A Woman Like You by Lee Brice, though I don’t know if Crystal does. Its easy to imagine all of our problems being gone but like so many things that’s just not how it would be. I am glad to have her going through these problems with me and we are able to lean on each other through them all.

We met at Austin Peay, connected by Harry Potter and our love of books, and grew close very quickly. We’ve made it through and we’re planning many more years together. These are all first experiences for us but thankfully we’ve got each other.

I love you both so much that one little blog post would never convince you of it. I try everyday to make my feelings known and I know I have my faults but keep with me and I’ll make it worth it.

Happy Thanksgiving

The day we’ve been working up to is here, Happy Thanksgiving.

If you’ve been following my posts you know I’ve covered a bunch of things so far, but today I talk about one of the top ones. Family. We’ve all got one; love em or hate em, you’ve got some.

Family doesn’t actually have to be genetically related. Family is being connected through the thick and thin, being there for each other, having someone to help out in a pinch. And I must say mine is great.

I couldn’t give everyone there own post but I think I’ve covered the closest of them, but I give this post to someone I didn’t have room for yet. Jamie and Mike. Thank you guys for everything. I can’t believe sometimes how much you have given to help raise me. I know I say it often, especially in the posts this month, but I some very great memories of being with you guys. I can’t imagine how my life would be changed if you hadn’t been there. Its beyond words.

Beyond Words

My dearest mother. I can’t write much of a post about my mother because I would get less than one sentence in and tear up. I’ll just leave it at this; my mother is the greatest person in the world. Period. She gives of herself until there is nothing left, she gave so much to ensure my sister and I had a great life and grew up with everything we needed. We didn’t realize how much she gave up when we were young but I look back and see it now. Gratitude, Thanks, Indebtedness, whatever, none of these words can convey what I feel towards her. So much for not tearing up I guess.

Rarely Shown, Always Felt

We’ve had our differences and sworn and fought with each other that it is hard to believe, but my sister and I would give our shirts off our back for the other. If you are reading this please know that even though it is rarely shown I will always love you and do anything I am able for you. I wish the best for her and know that she will have a great life.

Indebted To You

My grandparents who we call GGMA and GGPA are truly some of the best people in the entire world. They have contributed to my life financially, mentally, and physically so much so that it is unlikely if I tried to pay them back I would ever be able to repay such a debt. They are the only reason I was able to go on the two European vacations that I have written about and have such fond memories of. They are likely the reason that I am in the medical field. Try as they might I never made it as much of a golfer.

I just don’t know how to say I love you and Thank You appropriately.

Danke

To Alan and Charlene, Danke. Thank you for giving me Crystal and for raising her to be such a good person. We’ve had our ups and downs but through it all, Thank You.

Gratitude

My grandmother, Nanny, has had such a hand in my upbringing I can hardly put into words what it means to me. She taught me the ways of the kitchen and the catering arts, thinking back now it seems more like child labor but what ever, lol.

She’s had a rough go but has always been loving and helpful. I am truly grateful that she is in my life.

Happy

We had a great day today so glad that everyone came to see Sariah’s thanksgiving program. I don’t know if I’ve explained how thankful I am for Little Country School House yet but I am. This place is the best and if there is anyway I would love to keep Sariah in for their private K-1 school as well.

The kids in the school looked so cute in their Pilgram and Native American outfits and the songs were cute. Click Here for the video of the performances but I can’t guarantee that you can hear everything.

Reserved

Yes, I am reserved today but for a good reason. I must be reserved and secretive but eventually the information will come public. I may be reserved about it but I am excited and thankful.