I know I haven’t written in a couple of weeks. It isn’t like there’s a shortage of material out there, both political and personal. It’s just that, well, Thanksgiving is coming up this Thursday, and while the world still seems bound and determined to go to hell in a handbasket before Barack Obama’s inauguration in, what is it now? 56 days? rushed in no small part by The Shrub, I try to rein myself in around this time, and think about all the things for which we as a nation and I personally, have to give thanks.
Whether or not you believe in a Higher Power in some form or another, isn’t relevant. I don’t think there necessarily has to be a deity to whom to direct your thankfulness (here comes that bolt of lightening!). In a recent study: “Grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress... Grateful individuals place less importance on material goods; they are less likely to judge their own and others success in terms of possessions accumulated; they are less envious of others; and are more likely to share their possessions with others relative to less grateful persons.”
I was reminded of this today, when I received the following e-mail from a soldier serving in Afghanistan, to whom we sent a package a couple of weeks ago:
RJ and MJ,
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you how much the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Civilians here at *** appreciated the care packages that you all sent. They were absolutely stuffed with goodies that are hard to come by here in Afghanistan and served to remind us all of not only the comforts of home, but of how much support we have from patriots like you all. It is gestures like this and folks like you that make serving in this environment a lot easier and I thank you on behalf of all the *** service members for that!
Just so you know where your package ended up, *** is the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Task Force here in Afghanistan. Our mission is to defeat the enemy’s ability to use IEDs against our troops. Given that IEDs are the primary cause for US killed and wounded over here, our charter is significant and we work tirelessly going after the enemy and his devices. I’ve attached a picture of some of us so that you can put some faces to the joy that you have spread with your generosity and concern.
Thank you again,
JP
I’m thinking he’s grateful that he doesn’t have to be out there doing his job in this:
Yes, Boys and Girls, it’s raining mud.
So, today I am grateful for people like JP, who volunteered to put their bodies on the line to go wherever, whenever, on behalf of us. I may not like it that he’s there – hell, if you asked him, he’d probably tell you he’d rather be home with the wife and kiddies, hisownself – but I’m grateful that he’s willing.
And I’ll send him a package or two to share for Christmas. You should too. Go to AnySoldier.com and pick one out. And say Thank You.
