I post this mug every Thanksgiving because it doesn't change.

Every single year my family sits around the Thanksgiving table and we go around the table saying what we are thankful for.  The food that we eat has changed throughout the years.  Sometimes we go to the Plaza for the lighting and sometimes we don't.  But we will always go around the table and say what we are thankful for.  I don't think that we are the only family that does this.  I'm sure many families out there have this same tradition.  As a matter of fact when I was younger I thought that everyone did this.  So much so that I brought it up when I was visiting a girlfriend's family for Thanksgiving.  Her family laughed in my face and started eating.  Needless to say that was the beginning of the end of that relationship. 

This year I am enjoying my time with Natalie's family in Tennessee. Even though I am not there I can still hear what they are saying around the table in Kansas City.  My mom always starts.  After she goes all of the children say what we are thankful for.  When it is your turn you have everyone's attention and the spotlight is on you.  As the years have gone by the things that are said have changed.  After Miriam went to medical school I was thankful just to be able to hang out with her during the holidays.  When Michael was in Korea it was a little more emotional for all of us.  Though things will forever be changing in our lives there are always two things that will always be said at the Young's Thankgsgiving table.  We are thankful for our family.  We are thankful for God's love.  My dad always is the last one to say what he is thankful for.  He has always shown me by example what it is to love your family.  It's the only time of the year where I see my dad being emotional.  He always talks about how much God has blessed our family.  He always explains how his life is wonderful because of his family and because of his God.  It has really made a big impression on me.  One day when I have a family (don't hold your breath people) I want to be the kind of father that my dad is.  I always want to encourage my children to look and see how God is good.  How he has brought us to the point that we are at.  How he will continue to guide us in the future.  This Thanksgiving take a look back.  Think about all of your prayer requests that you have had in this last year.  Try to remember the ones that you have forgotten.  If you really look at it I think you will find that God has been guiding you all along.  So this year I'm thankful for the three things that I'm always thankful for.

My friends.  You are my family and I love all of you.

My family. I have the best family in the world.  Na Ta Ta you are my heart.

My God.  You loved me first and I don't deserve it. 

Happy Thanksgiving

Richard Young