What I'm Thankful For

In no particular order:

I'm thankful I'm healthy. I'm thankful for a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and food in my belly.

I'm thankful I have the skills and inclination to hold a job whose duties I like.

I'm thankful for my daughter, who daily brings me a joy I never thought possible -- the kind of joy that moistens my eyes nearly as often as it pulls my face into a smile.

I'm thankful for my wife, who pushes me to be a better person while also fully appreciating me for who I am, and who is a shining example to our daughter of compassion, humor, dedication, and sweetness.

I'm thankful my parents are still alive, and in good health, and generous with their kitchen and their time.

I'm thankful for my brothers, who have been the staunchest, most loyal of friends as well as the toughest, most ball-busting of critics -- what great brothers should be, in other words.

I'm thankful for my two sisters-in-law, who have brought joy to the lives of my wife and my brother, respectively; have given my daughter a pair of wonderful cousins to love; and have shown me what I missed by not growing up with sisters.

I'm thankful for my brother-in-law, who is versatile enough to drink beer with, go to ballgames with, watch crappy action movies with, grill steaks with, play Xbox with, hang out with our kids with, and countless other activities that belie in-law status.

I'm thankful to be living in the United States of America, which for all of its many, many flaws is still the finest, most noble country humanity has ever produced.

I'm thankful my daughter has two full sets of grandparents who cherish her, spoil her, and love to spend time with her.

I'm thankful for coworkers who make coming to the office professional stimulating and personally rewarding.

I'm thankful for my cat, who reminds me what a pleasure it can be to lie in the sun and nap.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.