For What I'm Thankful . . .

The Sun, good health, the husband, the wife, the kids, the grandkids, life, love, food and shelter, I’ve heard people give thanks for all of the above, and more, much more. Originally, I was looking for something for which to be thankful, without duplicating someone else’s thankfulness. Then the light came on, I’m thankful for all the bad things that happen to me. And, the reason is that the bad things make the good things far more meaningful.

I tend to be fairly well coordinated. I was a gymnast in High school and college and did flips, hand stands, and scales in city and state competitions. It wasn’t until I tripped and broke my toe that I realized what a great gift I had received in being able to move around without hurting myself. . . until then.

To carry this a little further, it also dawned on me that without illness, I probably would take good health for granted. If there was no influenza, how could I possibly appreciate an ache free day. I know that I would assume that agility was commonplace if it were not for my arthritis. Good eyesight would never be questioned if I didn’t have to wear glasses.

But, the one thing that I don’t understand, is youth. No one ever appreciates youth until we get older. And unlike health, agility, and all the other things for which we are each thankful, it cannot be re-attained. You have it, you enjoy it, then it goes away and it isn’t coming back. One day you wake up and your joints ache, your hair is thin, your forty pounds over weight, your kids have their own kids, the wife is gone and so are your teeth, and you wonder . . . “What in the hell happened?”

Well what you have just experienced was life. And yes, it goes on. But someone else is the major participant. At this point you have a supporting role. But later you will become a character actor, then after that you become the stage manager or house manager, then you just become a burden.

None of this sounds promising to anyone, but if you play your cards right, you can prolong your health, teach your kids to respect their elders, have enough money to not be a burden to your kids, and spend your retirement in comfort.

Now, what I’m really thankful for is that I can buy my grandson a drum set for Christmas. His mother drove me crazy when she was a kid, and I intend to return the favor.