With Thanksgiving upon us, I have begun to think, as I do each year, about what it is I have to be thankful for – and I am happy to say that for the first time in a long time – there are many, many things on my list this year. First and foremost, I have my health. Despite the fact that I have a heart condition, I am happy to say that my heart has been working just fine lately – and I am otherwise healthy as a horse. I am also happy to say that I have a wonderful relationship with my mother, who has spent the last 33 years molding me into the person I am. She has really been my strongest supporter and helping hand through some tough times – and I am very proud and honored to have her as my mom.

Being the editor of The Nassau Herald is something else I am very thankful for. I have had many jobs in my career and have worked in many fields, including journalism, politics, television and marketing – but I have to say that taking the reigns of such a prestigious newspaper is an incredible honor – and although I have jumped around a lot in my career – I speak the truth when I say that I plan to end mine here at The Herald.

The friends I have in my life are something else I am thankful for. I have always been someone who has had many friends and acquaintances. But, lately, I have narrowed my circle to only include those friends who are closest to me. I am proud to say that I am blessed to have a small circle of friends who have truly defined the word friend itself. Through good and bad, they have added to my life in a very positive way – and I will be forever grateful to them for all they have done for me.

Another thing I have to be thankful for is this incredible life that I live and the amazing opportunities that it affords me. Through all I have done and accomplished in my life, I have amassed an enormous collection of colleagues and contacts who still contact me for assistance with projects. This year alone, I have published several newspapers, gone to a few real estate expos – and spent a few days at a country club filming for a friend of mine. I have also, thanks to my contacts, met many celebrities this year, including Jimmy Fallon, Queen Latifah, Giselle Bunchen, Jennifer Esposito – and Kelly Osbourne.

Of all I have to be thankful for, I am most thankful for my son Beavis, who is truly the light of my life. A four-year-old domestic short-haired cat, he brings me an incalculable amount of joy and love. When I come home from work, he jumps into my arms and greets me in a way that no one else can – and when I am home, he stays right by my side as I go about my business. I thank God each day that he came into my life – and I could never imagine my life without him.

I hope that, during this Thanksgiving holiday, you have a lot to be thankful for as well. Life is truly an amazing journey, full of ups and downs, twists and turns – and unexpected events. But the best thing about life is the unknown that awaits us, the mystery that lies ahead. I can’t wait to write a column next year about what I have to be thankful for – and I hope that both you and I have more to be thankful for then than we do now.

Happy Thanksgiving.