Happy Thanksgiving

I will once again be celebrating Thanksgiving this year in Kansas City again. Doing this brings mixed feelings this year, as the joy of being with family is tinged with some sadness, revisiting a rather sad anniversary for the Higgins clan. You see, it was right before Thanksgiving last year that my father passed away. That single event will forever change that nature of this holiday for me, but does not in any way take away the point of the day, or the concept and need of giving thanks in my life. You see:

• I am thankful that I was able to get back to speak with him one last time before the end.
• I am thankful for the inspiration that he provided to me on both a personal and professional level.
• I am thankful for all of the things that both he and my mother taught me about the truly important things in life.
• I am thankful that I will able to get back to KC and be with my mother, sisters (and their families), and one of my sons for this year's holiday.
• I am thankful for the health and prosperity of my family and friends this year.
• I am thankful for the opportunities that have opened up for me in the last year.

There are of course, a few things of a less serious nature that I am likewise thankful for:

• I am thankful that the election is over and that my future expenses in duct tape will be reduced (at least until January).
• I am thankful that I live in a country capable of surviving the choices that it makes each Election day.
• I am thankful that the newspaper industry has survived yet another year (though not by much).
• I am thankful that Michael Miller has not recovered his senses and continues to print the columns that I write.
• I am thankful that one of my sister Maureen will be responsible for cooking Thanksgiving dinner. (While I am capable of doing so, I am also honest enough to admit to being lazy and dodge the responsibility.)

I am also thankful for all of you out there reading this blog. It has become rather an obsession for me over time, and has contributed to some of the opportunities that I spoke about. Without the support, help, and feedback from many of you, there is no telling how far down the path of degradation it and I would have otherwise gone.
 

Happy Thanksgiving