Simply put, I am blessed beyond what I deserve in this life. I wanted to take a few minutes to put into words what I am thankful to God for this year.
I didn't write my post on Thanksgiving Day for a couple of reasons:
- I didn't want it to get lost in the shuffle of other Thanksgiving posts (and there were a LOT of good ones)
- I didn't feel like blogging on Thanksgiving Day - too much food, family, and football for that
Brian Block wrote a post that struck a chord with me yesterday or the day before, called "Every Day is Thanksgiving!". This pretty much sums up my attitude perfectly.
Although I think Thanksgiving Day is really important (which is why I try not to skip ahead to Christmas with our decorations, etc.), I also feel that I have more than my fair share of reasons to be thankful every single day.
- God - Thank you for blessing me so richly. I am humbled when I reflect on this.
- Pam (my wife of almost sixteen years)- You are my beautiful soulmate. You make me laugh (and think) and I wouldn't want anyone else to be my kid's mom. I love you - always and forever.
- My son Brandon - You, sir, are hilarious, talented, compassionate and loving. You're a piano master with perfect pitch, a black belt, and a natural comedy writer. You will also likely be the size of an average NFL lineman when fully grown. We're friends, right?
- My older daughter, Aleah - You are focused, supremely smart, creative, and cute. You have an artistic spirit, you read faster than any of us, and you are probably the best Monopoly player in the house (beat me fair and square the other day).
- My younger daughter, Abby - You are so sweet, and a highly verbal natural performer (don't forget cuddly!). Frankly, I think you have one of the cutest personalities I've ever seen.
- My unborn daughter (to be named later) - I so look forward to meeting you in April sometime. You have a very loving family waiting to get to know you!
- My mom - I thank you for putting up with me during those "tough" years (which I realize is euphemistic). I owe you a lot! My sense of empathy, intelligence, and my personality all came from you. I love you very much.
I could go on about material things or how much I love my career, but God and my family are completely worthy of center stage, so I am content to stop there.
Thanks for reading!
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Jason... I so agreed with Mr. Blocks post also and it was right on the money. And just like you, another reason why I wrote my post late on Thanksgiving day, hoping it would not get lost and it still did... lol Hope you & your family had a happy & safe Thanksgiving...
Jason, you get what Thanksgiving is all about. Hope your family reads this - do they subscribe to your blog? :)
Jason...well said! Congratulations on all the things you have to be thankful for! It have a wonderful family and they should be proud of their Father!
Sounds like a perfect thanksgiving to me. You and Pam are both very lucky.
You hit all the things that are important my friend.....I'm grateful for the same things as well....I'm probably posting tomorrow for the same reasons....plus we extended it through today...plus....I'm still soaking it in you know????
Jason, it can't be any better than putting your priorities in that order God and family. You are blessed my friend.
Jason,
Very well said. Last night, I had dinner in El Paso, TX with my sister, her newborn twins, my husband and two sons and my mom and step dad. We did something my grandfather started years ago, and went around the table saying something we were thankful for. So much of it was right there in that room.
Jason,
Great list!!! We often spoke to our unborn children in utero...It makes a difference, I think!!! :) Thanks, Fran
Very moving acknowledgement ofhow your family blesses you..........beautiful wife and kids..............and congratulations on your April princess! :-)
How beautiful to and of your family. I'm glad your Thanksgiving was good.
Jason,
Pretty nice!
Bill
Jason,
Very well said my friend with everything in the right order, God, Family and then everything else.
Jason...
I believe that you covered all that is really important! Well done.
Jason - you are truly blessed. And I am so happy to see that, as a man, you are unafraid to 'go public' with those feelings. There was a time in this world when a 'man' would not have said those things, let alone have anyone else read them.
My suggestion ... print this page in it's entirety in a week or so. Comments and all. Print it four times. Put each copy in an envelope with each child's name on it and place it somewhere safe. As they get to be young adults with the capacity to understand the love in each word, present them with their own copy. I believe that each member of your family will feel blessed beyond belief - as they do now.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful family with all of us.
Jason - I have been actively participating here on ActiveRain for a couple of months now. Since day 1 I have been drawn to your blog. Yours was the first blog I subscribed to and I had no idea why until now. You are truly a special person and this post is the final proof. To recognize that all things are a gift from God and to publicly acknowledge that is so inspirational to me. We come across many people in this business with many backgrounds and beliefs. It's truly a blessing to come across someone who shares mine. I always look forward to reading what you have to say next and I look forward to the day that I get to meet you in person.
Thanks for sharing!
Jason,
Your testimony to your faith and your love of your family is inspiring. So many families are dysfunctional and so many children grow up with wrong values and ideas because they don't have a father figure who is not afraid to speak of his love of God and his love of family.
We're thinking along similar lines. I just posted a list of things (and people) for which I'm thankful. But I'm encouraging everyone to be thankful, year 'round.
Jason, this is the good stuff that life is made of. Without our loved ones, what are why?
Jason, YOU are a picture perfect - family man, husband, Dad and Son! and YOU have a very LUCKY family indeed!
Debbie
Attitude makes all the difference in life. In our family & in our business. You have a great attitude. We can't think of 2 things at once, so when we focus our minds on the blessings, we forget the struggles and hurts. Good post.
Beautiful Post - as said above, I hope your family subscribes - if not, I would think you will forward it so they can see how important they are to you. I have not written a Thanksgiving post - I am pondering why right now
Great example for a young agent like myself to see. God Bless.
You're a good man Jason. You are blessed in so many ways. I know this is true in every way!! Have a wonderful weekend dear.
Deb
Good idea Jason. Thanks for sharing your sentiments about your family!
"God and my family are completely worthy of center stage" amen brother Jason.
How nice Jason. You do have a lot to be thankful for and best of all you know that!! Yeah
Jason - You have so many reasons to be thankful. God has truly blessed me, as well. I am so thankful for my beautiful family and the health the Lord has given us... :)
I could go on about material things or how much I love my career, but God and my family are completely worthy of center stage, so I am content to stop there.
Good evening Jason,
That's a wonderful love letter to your family. By the way, did you realize you also have a growing ActiveRain extended family? :)