Every year you get a multitude of Thanksgiving greeting sating something schmaltzy and wrapping up with “Happy Thanksgiving!” Rather than do that this year I thought I would do this a little more long form.
First, I am thankful that we still live in the freest country on the planet. While things are not prefect here, we have it a lot better than most of the rest of the world. To be in poverty in America is nothing like being in poverty in the rest of the world. If you are in poverty here you likely live in a single family dwelling, and a single family is in that dwelling. In that dwelling there is running water, heat, electricity and even cable TV.
Next, I am thankful that we have men and women who protect and defend this country it is said that less than 10 percent of the US population has ever sworn the oath to defend our nation. I am grateful for those that have. They truly are the reason we remain.
On a more personal level I want to thank the listeners to our show. I started the show back on February of 2011 hoping to help to make a difference. I knew politics. I have been a political junkie for as long as I have been able to understand the process. I thought I may be able to find a few that agreed with me and reach a few here and there. What has happened to the show over the last almost 2 years has been amazing, and humbling.
I want to thank those that have come on board to help with the show, both past and present. Each one has brought their own personality and flair to the show. Raquel, Toby, Mick, Brian, Tom (Sticks), and Rob have all been huge helps with the show and it would have remained a tiny show with a few dozen listeners if they had not helped it grow.
Thanks also goes to the sponsors of the show. Last fall the show was growing, but financial problems were creeping up and I had to make a decision, sell advertising or shut the show down. Not only did the advertisers step up big time, listeners responded in a big way as well.
On a closing note I want to pull back the curtain and give thanks to a few people in my personal life. My kids are amazing, even though they are all grown, and are now giving Susan and I grandchildren. I have found that once they become adults my job as a father isn’t done, but only takes on a different perspective. It’s a good thing I enjoyed the job to start with.
Finally I am thankful for my beautiful wife Susan. We haven’t had a perfect marriage. There have been bends and twists and rocks aplenty in our road, but earlier this year she said after all our problems and issues that she still loved me enough to say “I do” again. I truly would be lost without her and my life would be a total and complete mess.
I have so many blessings to be thankful for this year, I only hope your list of blessings is as rich and fulfilling as mine is to me.
Paul
