Happy Thanksgiving!

If you haven't noticed by now, if you are reading this column, I am strongly opinionated. I am passionate about a lot of issues, and I admit to a little "attitude" every once in a while! But the thing I am most passionate about, after my faith in God, is family. I love my family! All of it; from the most ridiculous to the sublime! I am fortunate to have a big extended family. We are both flawed and fabulous! We squabble amongst ourselves at times, and yet, the loyalty and the love is tremendous. We may fight each other, but just let someone else jump on any of us, and it's a hillbilly jihad!

Today is the day we set aside to give thanks for all the blessings in our life, and I thank God for my family, my friends, my church and my country. Sometimes I let things that are happening in our country get to me and stress me out. When I do that, I lose sight of all the wonderful things around me, and I forget to be thankful. I am going to try not to do that anymore. Regardless of the hard times so many of us are having right now, there is still much to be thankful for about living in America! Even struggling financially, there is more available to us here than anywhere else in the world. Some of the poorest people here are rich compared to citizens in most other countries. We should be humbled by that and grateful for it.

I want to say to everyone that focusing on what we do have and being grateful will make everything better in our lives. Not just on Thanksgiving Day, but every day of the year. Get out of the house this holiday season, not just for shopping, but to re-connect with the reason for the season! Take your kids for a drive to look at Christmas lights. Go to a cantata or a Christmas play. Go caroling around your neighborhood or a nursing home. Volunteer to deliver Christmas baskets with a church or community group. Visit with family or friends and take them a plate of Christmas goodies. You will be blessed by blessing others.

God bless all of you and yours today and always.