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- Jan 25, 2015
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As we near Thanksgiving I wish to openly state some of the things that a Gracious God has bestowed on this unworthy man. It may not be the politically correct thing to do this day and age but I am too far down this road of life to worry much about that. I am thankful for the wonderful parents who raised me. Thankful for the Father who without any formal education and little money found means and a way through hard manual labor to provide what was required to raise 3 children. This man taught me how to be a man. He loved and cherished my mother whom I am thankful to still have with me providing the love and care that only a mother can give. They set an outstanding example of Christian living for the first 63 years of my life. We lost Dad in 2013 but his shining example of doing what is right and decent is strongly embedded within me.
I am thankful for being born American. Though we are going through some trying times I still believe we are the best hope for the world. It was my honor to serve this country during the Viet Nam era. It turns out that in doing so I received the training that was the basis for a very long and successful career.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be a Father. Though I have fallen far short of being the example set by my Father my daughter has overcome my shortcomings and has achieved a successful life with a wonderful family. I am thankful for her Mother who I lost in 1998 after a courageous battle with juvenile diabetes. For 25 years this woman stood arm and arm with me as we struggled to climb the latter to middle class success. The need to be successful for her provided all my early life inspiration to try to achieve something worthwhile.
I am thankful for my wife of the last 10 years. Dini is my world and at a time when I was outwardly successful but deeply troubled within, God saw fit to bestow upon me maybe the greatest gift I would ever know. Her love, wisdom and concern for both her fellow human beings and animals never ceases to amaze me and inspire me. This little lady takes care of me and makes me wish I could live forever as long as she was by my side.
I am thankful for our little community here. Well beyond the cigars is a deep thread of brotherhood that is hard to explain. Many of you have touched my life and I am a better man for being part of this group.
I am thankful to say that I serve a Gracious God and that for some reason He has bestowed unmerited blessings upon me. Only by His hand could I possibly have found my way to where I am today....blessed and humbled by it all.
I want to wish all of you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving and thank you all for being one of the many things for which I am thankful.
I am thankful for being born American. Though we are going through some trying times I still believe we are the best hope for the world. It was my honor to serve this country during the Viet Nam era. It turns out that in doing so I received the training that was the basis for a very long and successful career.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be a Father. Though I have fallen far short of being the example set by my Father my daughter has overcome my shortcomings and has achieved a successful life with a wonderful family. I am thankful for her Mother who I lost in 1998 after a courageous battle with juvenile diabetes. For 25 years this woman stood arm and arm with me as we struggled to climb the latter to middle class success. The need to be successful for her provided all my early life inspiration to try to achieve something worthwhile.
I am thankful for my wife of the last 10 years. Dini is my world and at a time when I was outwardly successful but deeply troubled within, God saw fit to bestow upon me maybe the greatest gift I would ever know. Her love, wisdom and concern for both her fellow human beings and animals never ceases to amaze me and inspire me. This little lady takes care of me and makes me wish I could live forever as long as she was by my side.
I am thankful for our little community here. Well beyond the cigars is a deep thread of brotherhood that is hard to explain. Many of you have touched my life and I am a better man for being part of this group.
I am thankful to say that I serve a Gracious God and that for some reason He has bestowed unmerited blessings upon me. Only by His hand could I possibly have found my way to where I am today....blessed and humbled by it all.
I want to wish all of you a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving and thank you all for being one of the many things for which I am thankful.
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