30 Years To Be Thankful For

In no specific order…

1. I’m thankful to be blessed with my mother and father who, over the years, have become as much friends as parents.

2. I’m thankful that when I was younger they were my parents.

3. I’m thankful that as I’ve gotten older, they’ve become friends (thought they are still parents when the situation warrants).

4. I’m thankful for a sister who is passionate about her beliefs. We may not always agree but I love her dearly and I know she loves me.

5. I’m thankful for the great friends God has blessed me with over the years.

6. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve called in the middle of the night needing to talk to and they were there.

7. I’m thankful for the ones I haven’t called but know I could.

8. I’m thankful for a God who sent His Son to die for me that I will enjoy everlasting life with the ones I love.

9. I’m thankful thousands upon thousands who have made sacrifices, some of them the ultimate sacrifice, that I may enjoy the freedom to love and worship my God and to share that love with others in this country and countries around the world.

10. I’m thankful for the times I’ve had my heartbroken by the fairer sex. It’s made me wiser (I hope).

11. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to travel to many countries and many continents to see and to experience other people and cultures.

12. I’m thankful that after 30 years, my body seems to be working just fine with only minimal breakdowns (ankles).

13. I’m thankful for the friends and others who have helped me challenge my beliefs.

14. I’m thankful for a mother who carried me for just over 9 months and gave birth. If you ask her, she’ll tell you that was still easier than my teenage years.

15. I’m thankful for a father who was willing to go do things that probably didn’t interest him a tremendous amount, just so he could spend time with his son. This includes baseball games and baseball card collecting.

16. I’m thankful that I’ve been able to serve my country in the Air Force for almost 12 years now.

17. I’m thankful for an extended family that feels like immediate family.

18. I’m thankful for a mother who was a good military mom and wife, honoring her husband and children. Picking up her family and home and moving it no fewer than 8 times in 24 years.

19. I’m thankful for a father who has been a good husband and now honors his wife by staying put and not moving anymore (among many other ways).

20. I’m thankful for two parents who’ve been a wonderful display of a loving marriage.

21. I’m thankful for the family and friends who have put up with my sometimes abrasive, usually arrogant and many times irritating personality and still love and accept me.

22. I’m thankful for the friends and family who have encouraged me and helped me grow in my faith.

23. I’m thankful for a sister who is funnier and more creative than I could ever hope to be.

24. I’m thankful for dogs but not cats.

25. I’m thankful for learning how to (really) play volleyball over the last 2 years. It has become a needed stress-reliever.

26. I’m thankful for the game of baseball. It was my first love.

27. I’m thankful when people tell me I remind them of my father. I take that as a high compliment.

28. I’m thankful that no matter how long I may live, I was able to see the Reds win the World Series and the Ohio State Buckeyes win a football national championship in my lifetime. Now, I’m just waiting for the Browns to get their stuff together.

29. I’m thankful that my family, for the most part, has remained healthy and happy for as long as I can remember.

30. I’m thankful that I am around after 30 years and able to be thankful for these and many other things I am sure I forgot to list.