Having Everything to be Thankful For

How did your thanksgiving go? For my wife and I,  it was a holiday reunion with my younger son Christopher and his wife Jennifer. In a sense, I feel guilty for trying to start a little family feud with my daughter-in-law Jennifer. She was magnificent, not trying to take me on with her beliefs as a Republican. Actually, it all started at her home, and mostly it was light-hearted talk about Democrats verses Republicans. Having the opportunity to write this blog, I may sometimes get melodramatic at times, because I feel so passionate about my beliefs, and what is happening in the country today.
Then the talks continued at my home. My daughter-in-law and son Christopher were very gracious, making the Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings, then traveling over 50 miles with all the food in the later part of the evening to spend the holiday with me and my wife Virginia. My wife originally was at work, on a 12 hour shift, then expecting a long drive to my sons place, but she was surprised to see everyone at our house when she arrived from work. I was out in the driveway waiting, but until she walked into the house, she really didn't realize that we were going to eat our Thanksgiving Feast at our home. My older son Michael and his beautiful fiancée were spending their Thanksgiving night at her mom's home to celebrate, so unfortunately we did not get to see them.

All in all, I am thankful for what I have. Recently, my wife and I have had so much to be thankful for. We moved into our brand new home, filled it up with everything we need to be very comfortable. Our puppy Samantha seems to be happier, especially since she now has her own back yard.

The thanksgiving feast was magnificent, thanks to Jennifer. The turkey with all of the trimmings were great. The deserts were different, but cool. I'm not into too much sweets these days, but that grasshopper pie surely was very rich and sweet.
Sometimes, I really don't know what gets over me as I just had to jib a little more by bringing up politics at the table. The night went so fast, I really don't know what all was said, but what I can distinctly remember is that my daughter-in-law who is very passionate in her beliefs, elected to not challenge me when it came to politics. In a sense, she deflated my ego, and the night rolled on and turned out to be a fairly quiet night, with the four of us just happy that we were together. It was by far one of the better nights I've had with family in many years. Regretfully, I was sad not to have my older son with us for the holiday this year.
Even though my son Michael and his fiancée were not with us this year to celebrate, they are about to bring me an early Christmas gift this year. His fiancée is expecting to have her baby (my grandson) and I an anxious to finally become a grandfather. I really didn't think how much that would mean to me until I heard that my son Michael was going to become a father. This made all the trial and tribulations between us at least for me to now be irrelevant. I pray that our family becomes closer to one another than it has in the past.
There is still so much more for me to be thankful for. My young and beautiful Filipina wife Virginia finally landed a full-time job working at Baylor Hospital in Garland Texas. She begins her new job on Monday as a full-time employee. So yes, we have so much to be thankful for. Just one year ago, my wife and I were cramped up in a small apartment, wondering if we would ever be free, dreaming to live in a home of our own. Now it's thanksgiving, and less than one year later our dream has become a reality, and we are celebrating the holidays in our brand new home. Thanksgiving is already gone, and it's already time for Christmas. Our tree has been up and lit already for the last two weeks. Just two weeks ago, we were blessed again, as we welcomed our first company to stay with us in our new home. We had a wonderful time. It was super special. A couple of acquaintances of Virgina, Father Jerry Gomez, a Catholic Filipino priest from New Jersey and a wonderful lady by the name of Jennette Cruz from Toronto Canada came to stay with us for a very special occasion. In a sense, it was Thanksgiving before Thanksgiving, as Father Jerry blessed our new home, while celebrating the mass and sharing his blessing and happiness amongst the people who attended. It will be something that I will soon never forget. Father Jerry, a Filipino priest, is such a down-to-earth man, and somehow in my heart, I felt that I've known him forever. Janette, the sweet Filipina from Toronto Canada was also so gracious and both of them made it feel as if they were part of our family. They will be always welcome in our home. We experienced so many happy times during their visit. We celebrated with so much good food, and the initiation of my new barbecue grill in the back yard. It couldn't have been a better day in November, with temperatures running upwards to 85 degrees, and not a drop of rain from the sky.
So for me, I have so much to be thankful for. Of course the night didn't go on without me thinking about my mom, dad and sister who all have passed. If I could have done anything to have them here with me to celebrate, I would have done it in a heartbeat. But their destinies have been fulfilled and hopefully mine will continue to grow with my wife, my two sons and the people special in their lives around us.

Again, I wish everyone who read this article a very happy and wonderful Thanksgiving, and the best Christmas and the greatest New Year to come!

James
Editor of the 'Obama in the White House' blog