On Being Thankful

I spent a lot of time yesterday thinking about Thanksgiving, what it means to me, and figuring out all the things I am grateful for this year. In his proclamation declaring the last Thursday in November to be a day of Thanksgiving, President Abraham Lincoln wrote: 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.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you will know that I spent the last year and a half in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and that I am now home, among friends and brothers once more. On this, my first Thanksgiving home, I want to give thanks for, in no particular order:

1. My brothers in freemasonry, who were sad to see me leave, and glad to see me return.
2. My brothers in Saudi Arabia, who I cannot discuss, but you all know who you are, thank you for your support!
3. My wife, for all her support while I was over there supporting us.
4. My family, for supporting, and aiding and assisting my wife while I was away.
5. To my country, for while I do not always agree with every action she takes, her protection sheltered me even while in Riyadh.
6. For my friends, for supporting me while I was gone and welcoming me when I returned.
7. My new job, close to home, that allows me to travel and support myself and my family.
8. For the opportunity to travel to another country and live there, to learn about the customs and traditions in that country, and to learn that what we read in the media is hardly complete, or accurate.
9. For my Saudi friends, who welcomed me into their homes, helped me to learn, and befriended me.
10. For my cat, Afwan, for keeping me sane when I was alone and so far from all my friends and everything familiar.
11. To be alive at this time. Every day I get up and look down at the grass instead of up at it is a good day.
12. For my brothers in all other countries of the world, to Bill and Gio, especially.
13. To Manny Blanco, John Cover-Spear, George Geanoulis, Adam Kendall, John Cooper, Dennis Chornenky, Prometheus (you know who you are) Bill McElligott, Giovanni Lombardo, and many many more for your good words, excellent advice and moral support while I have been traveling.
14. To the brothers in London who welcomed me with open arms, and my brothers in Madison New Jersey.

This has been an awesome year, one that has taught me much... what to do, and from some, what not to do.

What are you grateful for? What in your life has touched you that you have taken for granted? We are only vouchsafed this moment in time, and not a moment more. Our moments in life are not measured in the breaths we take, but in the moments that take our breaths away. How about you?

May the blessings of heaven rest upon us and all regular masons. May brotherly love prevail, and every moral and social virtue, cement us!