Today in the USA we take pause to give thanks and to spend time with family and friends. People will gather to eat, drink and be merry. One thing about Thanksgiving is that it makes you intentionally pause during the week to think about what one is grateful for.

I am thankful for many people, places and things in my life. One thing about this holiday is that it reminds you of what you have been given and it also is a call to give back.

There’s a lot to be thankful for but here are a few things that bless me more than I deserve.

• God, from whom all blessings flow.
• My wife Laura and our dog Cody as well as our Mikey who is in heaven.
• My family including my parents, sister and my wife’s family.
• My Grandfather and my Grandmother who is celebrating her second thanksgiving in heaven.
• My friends near and far.
• The places that have shaped my faith and have shown me God’s love.
• My city and other communities where I have lived.
• My place of employment and those I work with.
• Every day I get to wake up and to be with the people I love and respect.
• Food, because I like to eat.
• Those who work to keep us safe and secure.
• Love, because everyone gets to be a part of a relationship of their choosing.
• Blogging, because I get to express myself and connect with awesome people.
• The things that give me joy and allow me to be nerdy, geeky and dorky.
• The places where I have learned the lessons of life and connected with people different from me.
• The natural world that sustains us all.
• And Finally…..Iced Coffee.