It’s Thanksgiving again, and it’s been a couple years since I’ve done a post about what I’m thankful for. Despite dealing with being a bit sick with a depressed immune system from running so hot for so many weeks, I’m still feeling thankful.

In particular, I’m very thankful this year for how my relationship with my kids has evolved. I know that when my kids were younger I wasn’t the ideal dad. I did my best, but I often had a temper and struggled with being calm and patient with them. I know a part of this had to do with how I was feeling in my marriage, but I still wish I had acted better. In recent years things have gotten tremendously better. My youngest son and I often will chat about things he’s interested in, and will play video games together. My oldest doesn’t live with me, but when we get together we still have a good time, and we communicate by other means when we’re apart. Even my relationship with my step-son is good.

In many ways, too numerous to mention, I owe much of those relationship changes to Lisa. She has been an incredible influence on me, helping me stay calm and grow as a person. I’m tremendously thankful for her being in my life and making my life an adventure. I’ve learned more about myself in the past few years than decades before, and I’ve discovered a love of outdoor things that I didn’t know about before. It’s all due to her coming into my life.

I’m thankful for the home we share, despite it not being where we want to spend forever. I’m thankful for our cats, our jobs, and our ability to give back a bit when we can. Despite a rough year in the public realm, I’m still thankful for the life that I have, and all the small things that make it special. I hope that your thanksgiving is finding you well and happy, and that you can take a moment to look around at all the little things that we have to be thankful for this year.