Today is Thanksgiving. While everyone in this country breaks bread with their families and reflects on what they have to be thankful for – I have dug a little deeper and realized that this year – I have more to be thankful for then any year before this one. Never before in my life have I been so blessed with a year of triumphs, successes, accomplishments – and milestones. Of all the years I have said that it was “the best year of my life” – this is the one year I can truly say that it was.

Here is what I am thankful for:
· On January 2nd, I began the first day of the greatest job I have ever had.
· My son Beavis is once again living with me after an almost two year separation.
· My life’s possessions are once again with me after sitting in a storage unit for almost two years.
· I have a home of my own again.
· Julie is living with me and is without a doubt the greatest girl I have ever been with.
· I have received two Commander’s Coins in the 11 months I have worked at this job.
· I have made great friends in Henning, David and Avery.
· I live in a great town in New Jersey.
· My job has sent me to Maryland, Virginia, Nevada and Alabama.
· I am healthy.
· I have lost over 35 pounds.
· My heart is functioning normally.

It is for these reasons and so many more that I can say that this Thanksgiving – I have very much to be thankful for. I have had some great years in my life – but this one is truly the best year of my life. I feel like I am living a dream and that everything I have wished for my whole life is finally coming true. If you had told me five years ago about the current state of my life – I would not have believed you. But now that I am living it – I find it hard to believe myself. I am in a really good place and thank God each and every day for the life I am living now – and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

May you and your family have the most joyous of Thanksgivings – and be thankful for all that you have…

…because I sure am.