The house is so quiet even though we are just a couple of blocks from Highway 15 in Murrieta, Ca. As I sit here thinking about how grateful I am while I look back over the past sixty-six years with my sixty-seventh coming in less than a hundred days I realize just how important gratitude is in the flow of life.

Today, I sit here with my children around me sleeping peacefully as I know there are so many out there that do not have this opportunity to be with their children some by choice, some by chance. I salute all of those service men away from their families today many of which are in combat zones in lands far away.

No matter what our individual opinions may be about the political situations that find them there I just want to say how much I appreciate what they are doing to protect our way of life. I realize that many of the world hate us for what we have as in some ways I can understand their feelings for we many of us do not appreciate what we have and take it for granted even as we sit by and allow much of what we have be taken from us without a word of protest.

Millions have died so we may have what we have and the rights to have what we have yet everyday there are those that plot to take those from us. Some do it for they wish to see us fall, others do it out of ignorance and others do it just because they want the power that the people have. Then there are those that think we are not smart enough to govern ourselves that they can do it so much better for us.

What ever today I am grateful that I can sit here writing this article knowing that my door will not be kicked in because someone somewhere doesn't like what I am writing. I am grateful for my country, my freedoms, my children and grandchildren born and waiting to be born.

I am grateful for the Spirit that gives me breath each and every moment. I am grateful for the ability to say what I think and to say it or not say it as I choose. I am grateful to be alive when so many that were born when I was are not.

Well my son is up and just let Libby out and oops there goes my plug to my laptop, ok son and dog are outside. Well now here comes my daughter and the son and dog are back in. Dog is quieter for my daughter is here now and she is the power in the house for she controls the kitchen. Life is beginning again as people are up and moving around.

I am grateful to be loved by my children.

Today I wish to tell everyone a great BIG HAPPY THANKSGIVING and to as always to say I love and believe in YOU.

Blessings,
Rev. W. Isaac Norris 3rd
wisaac3rd@aol.com
http://wisaac3rdsspirituallife.blogspot.com/