Thanksgiving is a special day because it makes busy people like me take pause to reflect on all my blessings that admittedly I should note every day of the year. I know that I am fortunate and extremely blessed, but I don’t always take the time to be as thankful as I should, although I do recognize that there are many, many things for which I should be grateful.

My “thankful for” list is too long to completely cover here, but first and foremost I am thankful for the opportunity to have grown up in an idyllic setting, in a loving family, with parents who had a strong, yet humble set of values that I carry with me on this journey called life. We didn’t have much money because they were school teachers, but we really didn’t know it because we had everything we needed and most of what we wanted.  If parents can give a child that sense of comfort and love, then their job is well done.

Also included in this long list are friends. I am especially thankful for good friends who have blessed my life immeasurably.  I have so many friends who have known me and “put up” with me since childhood, college or throughout my career and who have added so much to my life. Many of you have joined me on these blogs, and for that I am grateful. You are gold!

But I also have the privilege of meeting new folks and developing relationships that turn into friendships which I hope will follow me in this next phase.  My personal travels as well as consulting gigs and subsequent trips give me so many opportunities to meet interesting people with whom I continue to correspond over the miles. Although there are many of these folks I may never see again, (but I am always hopeful), I love the ability to communicate through emails and snail mail or even social networks. You are silver and, hopefully, will become golden as our years together accumulate.

And then there are a few special people who enrich my life on a daily basis, through phone calls, emails or one-on-one conversations, listening, supporting and just being there. You know who you are and you are beyond definition or description. But if I have to put you in a category, you are diamond and platinum, melted into lasting treasures.

As I approach another birthday, I am also thankful for my health and well-being. Since I hate exercise and watching my diet, I feel very fortunate to be in such good condition. I can only hope the genes continue to be stronger than my will power and fitness commitments.

And I can’t neglect to mention that I feel fortunate to live my dreams of writing, traveling, living in and visiting wonderful places. For that I am thankful.

And, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank you for joining me on this journey. Now, go have another heaping plate of turkey and dressing, take a nap, and wake up to read the next chapter of Keeping Faith. It’s more delicious than that pumpkin pie and a whole lot better for you!!!