This Thanksgiving, there was an awful lot to be thankful for as we all gathered around the table. I am thankful for an amazing Lord. He has risen me from the depths of frustration and grief to the peaks of happiness and forgiveness. As Paul said in Romans 5:3-4, "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." This family has suffered so much in these past few years, but we have have persevered as a strong unit. Without my faith, I would be floating on the breeze right now.

I am also thankful for a wonderful mother, father, and three sisters. I had to put up with a lot of torture as a boy with the three of you, but I will never find a group of ladies in this lifetime who will stick up for me the way you always did in the past and always will in the future. We were blessed to grow up with two loving parents. The lessons I am passing on to my children today; they stem from the lessons those two taught us when we were younger. Be respectful. Work hard. Love like there's no tomorrow. I could not have a greater role model, Dad, than you.

I am thankful for the love of an amazing woman. I didn't deserve that amount of love, but she gave it anyway. I miss her so much. I miss her laughter, smile, voice, and even her tears. I miss the way she smiled and crinkled up her nose when I took my shirt off; showing me that she didn't think 35 was old. I miss her holding our babies right before sleep. I used to lie awake; listening to her sing to our kids over the baby monitors. On some nights, I even fell asleep to that sweet voice. I just miss every detail of her character and beauty. I am so thankful that God allowed me to be that close to perfection; even if only for eighteen years.

I am thankful for the kids that Faith and I created together. They are terrific kids, aren't they, Pop? We can't wait until your arrival next weekend. Even fourteen years ago, there were no kids. God then blessed us with five little gifts. I don't know why God chooses to do what He does sometimes, but I suppose He needed one of my gifts to wait for me in Heaven. I will await patiently the day when I will be able to see my precious little girl again. My kids just mean the world to me, and I am so happy that I get to be their Daddy. It's the greatest feeling on Earth.

I am thankful for friendships I have made along the way in my 42 years, and I am also thankful for a community of believers that we have grown to love over the years. God has blessed us tremendously. Even through the hardships, the suffering, and the grief; we have a lot to be thankful for this holiday season.

Joe

Something unexpected happened a couple of days ago. I lost my wedding ring. I feel completely naked without it on my finger. I twist and grab at my ring finger, mostly out of habit. It's not the money that concerns me about losing the ring. It's not even the ring itself. That circle of jewelry was chosen specifically by her. She placed that ring on my finger herself. As you know, and Faith made well aware, I didn't wear a ring for our first ten years. Now, I can't imagine my finger without it. I have re-traced my steps and combed this house, but I can't find that ring. I'm sorry, Honey.