Thursday Thirteen, Thanksgiving Edition

I haven't checked the blogosphere yet, but I'm sure this is the theme for this week's TTs. Not wanting to be left out, here's thirteen things I'm thankful for in no particular order.

1. My parents. They sacrificed tremendously to send us all to Catholic schools and make sure we went to college. While other families were taking cruises and jetting off to exotic vacations, we did road trips and things around home to save money to provide for our futures. Second honeymoons and private vacations and nights out were rare for them as they chose instead to give to us.

2. My parents. I was chronically ill as a child and went through a couple of major surgeries. My mother was always home to take care of me and pretty much home schooled me through first grade as I missed over 50% of the school year. My father sacrificed a huge career advancement that was in a location that would have been bad for my health and chose instead much worse jobs in places better for me.

3. My mom. She is an outstanding cook and she taught me to try new dishes and experiment with cooking. She took great pride in making a warm and loving home and while I can't manage to do all the things she taught me, I remember and cherish all of them.

4. My father. Well-educated, he tried to impart all manner of life skills to me. Thriftiness, planning for the future, bravery in the face of adversity, love of literature and art and honing my writing skills. Even when it doesn't seem like I've taken the lessons to heart, they're a part of me.

5. My son. He's had some very hard times and through it all he's shown tremendous strength and courage. He works hard to help his little sister be a success.

6. My daughter. She had a rough start in life and has gone through some bumpy times. The word that best describes her is irrepressible. Good cheer and loving support is what she gives us all.

7. Our Maximum Leader. Just look at this picture. What more needs be said?


8. Believe it or not, I'm thankful for Jacob the Syrian Hamster. When I sit with him and read, he teaches me to find joy in the simplest of life's pleasures. I recently changed his food from pellets to a mix of seeds and dried fruits called Fiesta Mix. I thought his head was going to explode. It was just a bowl of seeds and fruit and he practically levitated and orbited the room with pleasure. "Savor life" is his message to me.


9. Comments on my blog. This blog has been an exploration of ideas and technology for me. When people leave comments it affirms my existence in the blogosphere and makes the writing more worthwhile.

10. Living in San Diego. As I write this I'm looking out over Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean. There's a bit of haze so I can't quite see Mission Beach, but the day is lovely and full of promise.

11. My mother. (You thought I was done with that line, didn't you? I told you this was in no particular order.) She is an outstanding gardener and taught me to cherish plants. My efforts to raise my garden from seeds follows the example she set for me.

12. My friends. I never seem to have to ask for support, it just shows up. Through some rough patches I've had friends who just call out of the blue to ask how things are.

13. You. You took the time to read this post. That's time you could have spent in other ways and instead you chose to visit my little corner of the web and see what I had to say. Thanks.


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