Giving Thanks for Many Things

I'm thankful for my family—the one that brought me into this world and the one that gives me purpose today.

I'm thankful for any quality time I get to spend with my wife and kids. I'm thankful for road trips to see family far away.

I'm thankful for Almond M&Ms.

I'm thankful for a Faith that saves, guides and provides peace. I'm thankful when it shines everywhere in the form of love, kindness and service instead of the misguided agendas and judgment some do in its name.

I'm thankful for air conditioning.

I'm thankful for discovering coffee isn't the "dirt water" I thought it was for decades. It only took my wife introducing me to caramel almond creamer to realize it's not just good, but supercharged-nitrous nectar to charge through the day.

I'm thankful for coupons.

I'm thankful there are more people listening to those who have not been heard as much across many years, and giving voices to these concerns and needs.

I'm thankful for experiencing things with family members... Watching sports or exercising with my oldest, who can now do more push-ups than me... Finding good shows or podcasts to chew over with my wife (we've discovered how great Friday Night Lights is 20 years late.)... Taking in creepy, sci-fi and superhero entertainment (Hill House! Baby Yoda! Loki!) with my youngest.

I'm thankful for the people who flash their lights to let me know I can turn in front of them while I'm waiting for an opportunity amid a long line of traffic.

I'm thankful for the Miami Dolph... well, I'm thankful for the hope and loyalty of those who stick to things that don't bear much fruit.

I'm thankful for opportunities to serve and help our neighbors. I'm thankful for the organizations who do the work I think about often, but don't put personal action around enough.

I'm thankful for modern medicine to keep us safe and healthy.

I'm thankful for learning lessons in life, even though it's hard for them to get through my thick skull sometimes.

I'm thankful for Chex-Mix. Especially when a handful pulled from the bag contains one of those rare bagel chips.

I'm thankful for how our dog cleans up crumbs and spills dropped on the floor so we don't have to sweep as often.

I'm thankful for good conversation with friends—lifelong ones, new ones, those in-between—and sharing differing perspectives on important things of today or just providing moral support on the tribulations of raising teens in this uncharted territory of the digital screen age in which we find ourselves as struggling, exhausted parents.

I'm thankful for the seasonal flavors of Sam Adams.

I'm thankful the Atlanta Braves finally won their second World Series.

I'm thankful for the teachers who educate our kids, public servants who risk their lives for our safety, and our military members here and abroad—especially since I have one of my own headed that direction.

I'm thankful for crossword puzzles, and the time to sit down and tackle one.

I'm thankful for comfortable shoes.

I'm thankful for peace and quiet when I get some needed time of solitude.

I'm thankful for noisy banter and laughter when getting together with family and friends.

Lastly, I'm thankful for how this week always reminds me that while I could probably list twice as many things here that bug me, having a grateful approach in life makes all the difference in our world.