As parents we are in a special club when it comes to being thankful.  We are in a club that knows, firsthand, from within every cell, every molecule, every essence of our being, what it means to have something to be thankful for.  To have children to be thankful for.   This is because there is no greater bond than the bond one feels for a child.  There is no greater love, no love more pure, than the love a parent feels for their child.  Yes, we love our own parents.  Yes, we love our spouses and our partners and our girlfriends and boyfriends, and our pets, but it is not the same.  No other being is an extension of you, now and forever, in the way your child is.  No other being looks up to you in that way… relies on you in that way… draws upon you in that way… is influenced by you in that way… or influences you in that way.

Yes, they put tremendous pressure on us (and our bank accounts).  Yes, they make us want to scream and cry, but they also make us laugh and sing.  They keep us young.  They keep us warm with pride with every step, every accomplishment, every hug, every smile, every scrape, every tear.  They make us whole.  They make every challenge we face, every hurdle we jump, every mountain we climb, totally worth it.  Life is worth it because of them.  Every parent can look up “joy” in the dictionary and see a picture of their child, their children.

So today, and every day, I am thankful for my children.  For the wonder and wonderful they bring to my life each and every day.  I am thankful for being a dad, and especially for being their dad.  I am thankful, and full of thanks.

I know you are thankful for your kids too.  Let them know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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