Happy Thanksgiving

Being single and 2000 miles away from family can make Thanksgiving an interesting experience. Yet even as I will not be with them in Ohio tomorrow, my family is always in my heart and at the forefront of my thoughts.

I have a wonderful family, and we have an unspoken and unconditional love for one another that amazes me. We do not speak as often as perhaps we should, but we always seem to pick up right where we left off each time we talk as if we've been together the entire time.

My parents are the most patient people I know. God knows I have not deserved the patience they've shown me over the years, but I believe their patience has paid dividends, for even with all the stupid things I've done I've finally "figured it out" and become a person I know they are proud of beyond the typical parental pride all parents have for their offspring.

If you know me, you know that is an incredible accomplishment.

My brother and sister are not only family, but they have been two of my best friends for years. When I needed someone to talk to, they always listened. Even when they could tell I was in a self-destructive phase, they listened and helped me rationalize what was happening in my life, offered advice, and never left me feeling uncertain of their love. They both are happily married and have beautiful families, and I am extremely proud of them.

My three nieces and two nephews are just the cutest and most loving kids I've ever met in my life. I went home last Christmas and really got a chance to spend some time with all of them, and Uncle Soloman walked away from that experience beaming with pride and felt like an absolute hero.

Through that visit came two of the most touching moments of my life. First was the moment when we were opening gifts, and I was group-hugged by five precious little people who hardly knew who I was, but understood how much I love them. Second was when I found out how my nieces all kept asking to go back to visit Uncle Soloman, and they had such a tough time understanding that I didn't live with my Mom and Dad, but I had to go home to a place very far away. It was an overwhelming feeling to know that I was the reason they wanted to go visit Mom and Dad's house...

As you celebrate Thanksgiving, I wish for you to know that I am very grateful for every one of you that I have come to know through this incredible blogging experience. You all have become my extended family; you keep me laughing, you touch my heart, and you inform me. You make me feel good when you comment, and I greatly appreciate each of you taking the time from your busy lives to come spend some time finding out if Soloman had something wise to say that day. Your compliments keep me working harder to improve my writing, which helps me improve as a person, which gives me greater confidence in everything I do, and for that I am grateful.

This truly is the great American holiday. While we are certainly living in perilous times and have much work on the horizon, we all have many reasons to be thankful. We live in the richest nation on Earth, at one of the most incredible times in terms of discovery and invention. Within my lifetime we have witnessed such amazing inventions that it truly boggles my mind, and with the help of God and common sense we will hopefully use all of our capacity as a nation to overcome all obstacles before us and become a stronger, more bountiful nation.

We can do anything, for we are Americans. God bless, and Happy Thanksgiving.