It is Thanksgiving 2014! Oh boy, where has the time gone?
Just the other day I was a senior in high school visiting
colleges . . .
No. Wait. . . That is my ‘baby’ brother Kevin. How is he 17
now? That’s crazy. Life flies by, but you have to capture the moments, little
and big, or you will miss it. And if you miss it, what is the point?
Thanksgiving is the perfect time (when isn’t it the perfect
time? I guess that is a muse for another day) to reflect on things big and
small.
When I was in school, so many years ago, we were always
asked to reflect on what we were ‘thankful for’, we would write out our one
line or one thing, sometimes draw a picture, sometimes write an essay, but is
that enough.
Maybe it’s the season, or the fact that my commute is
extremely quiet on the Metra, or the fact that as I prepare to a father (only a
few more weeks until we meet our little man), I have spent quite some time
musing to myself on things that I am thankful for this year.
My Family:
Now as I mentioned above, my family
is growing in the very beginning of January. James Michael Grady III is
expected to arrive on January 8, 2015, though I suspect he is going to be a
little early. With my loving wife’s encouragement and our great restraint (even
though she is much better at pinching pennies than I am), we moved into our
first house, just weeks ago. My heart is so full of love for the two most
important people in my life, but I have to be thankful that we have such a
wonderful, supporting family that goes beyond our walls.
It takes a Village:
While we have always been close to
our parents (moms especially), something triggered in all of us when we found
out we were expecting. Our already loving and supporting family has been there
at every turn to give advice, guidance and a much needed hand (especially in
moving. Thank you John!). I know these
relationships will be growing even stronger as Baby G or Jimmy III or Trey
(lolz, Kevin) or James or whatever you call him, comes into our lives.
It has also been a banner year for
my brothers. The Grady boys have done well for themselves this year. Despite our
crazy age range, all three of us have had some wonderful adventures over the
last 12 months and are each preparing/ just getting started for a new stage of
life. Oh, we also built and ran this little Podcast earlier this year. My hope
is that we are able to pick it back up soon.
The Village gets bigger:
Now our extended families are quite
large, each with their unique casts of characters. Earlier this year our Friend
Family and Family Family merged as our good friend, Czarina (aka Capt’n Z)
married Ashley’s cousin, Don. As I sat on the train this morning, I thought it
was amazing that members of my wife’s family comment and ‘like’ things our
friends post on social media because of the extended relationships we all have.
It is amazing.
#Blessed:
The last year has seen a number of
friends and family members passing. Each of these people has touched our lives
in one way or another. I know they are looking down on us from heaven,
celebrating our blessings and fighting in our corners. And we are blessed for
having had these people in our lives.
Thanks for reading and I wish you a wonderful and safe
holiday.
