The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God... - Abraham Lincoln (start of Thanksgiving proclamation)
As we all talk (and sometimes shout) about politics and policy and various and sundry other issues in the public sphere, it is good to sometimes step back and appreciate how wonderful and joyous life is. So on the Thanksgiving day I am thankful for (items large and small):
- A wonderful wife that I have fallen more in love with every day over more than 20 years.
- Three wonderful daughters who are turning into smart, kind, motivated young ladies. And they are all happy with their lives which is a wonderful thing.
- Family - My parents, brothers & sister, our dogs, etc.
- Our country. Yes there are problems but America retains its ability to work its way through them. And we are finding our way to resolving the big issues we face. (And once we resolve those, we'll find new ones we need to address - and we will address those.)
- Boulder which remains a wonderful place to live. Imperfect but wonderful.
- Friends. The hours upon hours spent discussing programming, politics, history, etc. Nothing beats arguing the causes of the Civil War with people who are very knowledgeable - and disagree.
- Soccer & basketball - watching my daughters play (and talking to the other parents). Watching the kids give it everything they have while playing an incredible game is a tremendous joy (and when losing by a point, heartbreak - but that is part of life).
- Local politics - all the people I have met and traded emails with and posted back and forth with. Especially all the candidates who put it all out there on the line and then have to face the results of the vote.
- Well written history books. The more I learn about the various eras of our history, the more I come to respect that multitudes of men and women who have stepped forward to advance our society, our country, and our world.
- The Internet, software industry, etc - so I get to make a good living creating programs. It's nice when your job is something one enjoys a lot.
- Russian pop music, BMW automobiles, RTS computer games, indoor plumbing, electricity, and civilization in general.
- Blogging.
