Truly Thankful this year

I don't post everyday not because I don't have anything to say but because I'm a very reflective type person and I think a lot before I write. I compose the most outstanding posts in my mind but by the time I post it either my thoughts are lost or someone else has posted exactly what I was going to say.

This Thanksgiving I did not drive the five hours home to be with my mom and sisters. Instead, my boys and I had a small turkey dinner and we went to the movies. The rest of my day was spent reading The Blog of War and reflecting on everything I have to be thankful for. I thought about the things I complain about and examined if they are really that bad. I thought about the weight I've gained and thought instead of complaining I should really be thankful I have food to eat. An abundance of anything I want and it is my choice if I overeat or eat the wrong things. Nobody is forcing me to do these things. Then, I thought about my bills, my friends, my life, my choices and I read my book some more. So many people sacrifice and fight for me so that I can sleep in peace at night. I then started going through some of the milblogs in the book and from other peoples blogs. Then I came upon the post I had been writing in my head. Some Soldiers Mom wrote exactly what I had been thinking. This is at the end of her post.

I am Thankful:
FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING,
WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,
AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING
AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

AND FINALLY, FOR THE SOLDIERS DEPLOYED ALL OVER THE WORLD
BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AND MINE CAN SLEEP PEACEFULLY TONIGHT.