In my family, holidays are really about two things; family and food. Thanksgiving is a holiday we can really get behind. For me, Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday baking season. And since my mom is about to move in… that means baked goodies for the next six weeks.
Christmas is another holiday I can get behind… not because of the religious trappings, but because it is about family and giving. Plus, with me having a young child, it’s even more fun. It’s a blast to watch his eyes bug out of his head on Christmas morning.
Anyway, as is moderately traditional for me, I would like to offer my thanks for this Thanksgiving. Since I will be traveling (for the first time ever) this Thanksgiving, I will do this now. Plus, I’m taking my boy to Space Center Houston on Friday and you can forget hearing from me on that day.
I am thankful for my family. For my mom, who raised me. For my grandfather who taught me about being a man of integrity, loyalty and intelligence. For my grandmother, who (among other things) made best blasted M&M cookies ever. I’ve never had a cookie that matched what she did. All of my grandparents are dead now and my one regret in life is that my son never got to meet my grandfather (and vice versa).
I am so very thankful for my son. We almost couldn’t have one and he’s an amazing creature. And, of course, for my wife, who puts up with me most of the time and makes art that continues to blow me away (and she’s hot!)
I am thankful for my mind. Without it, well no none of this would even be possible. I am very, very thankful that I learned how to think and I hope that I can teach my son this skill. Skepticism, thinking, rationality is hard, but it’s so worth it.
I am thankful that I am currently in the best job I’ve ever had. It’s interesting, it’s hard, it requires thinking, problem solving, and skills that I actually have. Plus, my bosses, supervisors and coworkers are always ready to offer advice, criticism (correctly), help and listen to the same from me. It’s truly stunning to me that the work I’m doing will literally impact millions of people per year and give them some opportunities that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.. and, in some small way, help them to learn to think as well.
I am thankful for skepticink. This is a good community. I don’t mind looking like an idiot here and I hope that what I do here has an impact for someone.
I am thankful for the technology that keeps me alive, comfortable, fed, and entertained. Without these results of science, we would continue to have short grueling lives. Even three hundred years ago, I would probably be dead now. Heck, I might not have survived to the age of 8 with my poor vision. But thanks to the enlightenment and a country that (once) supported those ideas of rationality, testing, and achievement, we have technology. Now if we can only get equality.
I am thankful for my country. For all its flaws (and there are many) it is still the best country in the world to live in. We have massive problems, but we’ve dealt with way worse crises in the past and we can deal with the issues that plague us now.
I am thankful for Subaru (I love my car), Amplify Federal Credit Union, Promise Pizza, Rick’s Service Center and other companies that go out of their way to be a good place to do business. These are the types of places that remind us what businesses should be about, a pleased customer. This is totally unlike the majority of major businesses whom seem to believe that customers and employees are just the ugly costs of making money. If it weren’t the damned customers and employees, those businesses would be doing so much better. I make it a habit of telling these companies how much I appreciate their efforts and their employees. I’m danged near on a first name basis with the CEO of Amplify. Every time I go to that credit union, they exceed the last visit. Last time I went in, they had hot-warm cookies. Now that’s how to keep customers happy. Sorry you have to wait in line for 12 seconds, have a hot chocolate chip cookie and a cup of coffee.
I am thankful for my heroes who showed a small boy the amazing world that was just outside the door. Who taught me the beauty of the smallest of mathematical formulas and the awe that could be inspired by the universe at its largest and smallest. Carl Sagan once aired a TV program (about 1979-80) called Cosmos. I was 8 and didn’t even know that TC had shows other than cartoons. But Sagan’s Ship of the Imagination struck a cord in me and I have never forgotten.
I am thankful for teachers. Having been one, I know what they have to go through on a daily basis. But they, especially the elementary teachers, always have a smile, kind words and the ones I’ve dealt with here do fine work. Once my boy gets to 5th grade or so, I could probably handle most anything, but I couldn’t handle elementary school. I’m not that patient. The teachers at Caldwell have skill, dedication, and love for the students and for the teaching. And it’s a joy to behold.
I am thankful that I am happy. I know there are a lot of people in this world who are not. Whether by their own doing or having to suffer through the actions of others. It’s sad to see that humans can be so evil to our fellow humans. I wish I could do more to help. I am thankful for organizations that I can offer time and money to that do help people after disasters, help them fight for the rights that all living things should have (except for mosquitoes, I don’t fucking care what happens to mosquitoes!), and help the people and organisms that can’t help themselves in the face of the juggernaut that is modern humanity. I am thankful for the strength, courage, and determination of these people.
I offer a heartfelt “Thank You” to life, the universe, and everything.
