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| Food...coma....setting in... |
Admittedly, I think more people than not do get the point, and have probably been well served by the deliberation and introspection that comes from actually writing down something you are thankful for everyday over a period of several weeks. I just love to point out peoples flaws and foibles. I'm thankful for that opportunity you might say.
As we enter the holidays, and once again feed our children a ridiculously inaccurate historical fiction to justify feeding them ridiculously caloric and fatty foods, it is even more appropriate that I lay aside my prejudice against the herd mentality that says "I saw it on Facebook so I must do it too!" and list a few of the things for which I am thankful.
1) I am thankful that my football team will not be utterly embarrassed again this year in Atlanta. Yes, it was heartbreaking to lose the East, especially in a year that we beat every single SEC East team - unprecedented for South Carolina. And yes, we all had dreams of playing spoiler to someone's BCS title hopes in the Championship game. But honestly, with apologies to Chris Low, the East title this year isn't even a consolation prize - it's a sentence. Whether LSU wins out this weekend, or UGA has to face Alabama (or through some fluke, Arkansas), it's likely to be a one-sided affair. Possibly a brutal one. We had that experience last year. I'll be glad to watch someone else take it this year.
2) I am thankful to have no affiliation whatsoever with Penn State. I don't think this needs much explanation.
3) I am thankful that Dreft will take poop, pee, and vomit out of clothes. Most of the time.
4) I am thankful that all of NBC's attempts to reboot seventies television shows have failed quickly, giving us more time for wonderful reality television. Actually, I'm only being sarcastic about the latter part of that statement. A new Wonder Woman? Seriously? Who thought that was a good idea.
5) I am thankful that stores waited until Halloween to replace their Thanksgiving displays with tinsel, bells, and fake snow.
Between this post and my Halloween tirade, I'm sure I have firmly established my place as the Scrooge of all fall holidays. I'm fine with that. Now that it's out of the way, let me be serious and tell you a few things I really am thankful for.
1) My family. Not just an incredible wife, and an adorable, healthy baby girl, though they certainly come first to mind. Our entire family is fantastic, and as a young couple with a baby and a lot of student debt, but not enough free time to hold up a sign about it, I don't honestly know how we would make it without the love and support we get from all of them.
2) My friends. I could just as easily include all of them in the "family" category, except I'm less likely get random bags of groceries foisted upon me by my friends. It is truly amazing to have a community around you, especially when you are going through big life changes, i.e., marriages, moving, changing jobs, having kids. All of which we've experienced in the last five years. Some changes multiple times. Friends rock.
3) Beagle. And to a lesser extent Auxiliary Dog. And to a significantly lesser extent, almost not worth mentioning, Cat. Cat is pretty damn cute rubbing up against my little girl. But the first time those claws make her cry it's Project Pet for you buddy.
4) A house, a job, a car that works. And lots of books. A fireplace and a cup of coffee, and a damn fine grill on the back porch.
5) God. Biggest for last, maybe? I believe every last thing I am grateful for is ultimately an unearned blessing. Whatever worth I may have, whether the product of nature or nurture, I had absolutely no control over, so even the abilities I have that allow me to "earn" a living are a gift. My faith is a gift, my church is a gift, my salvation is absolutely a gift that I did not deserve. Perhaps this strikes you as more of a Christmas-y message. Meh. It's my list. It's what I am thankful for. And I really, really am.
