Day 525 - November 22 - Thanksgiving Week Day 1

So far, a good weekend with Brad visiting. We've begun to hammer out some ideas that will be helping to get the boy more control over his environment, although right now it's mostly conceptual. It will take a bit to turn these ideas into reality, but we're making some steps in that direction. Speaking of which, it would only be fitting to give a shout out to our friend Joey Dalla, who has been helping us in the fabrication department, turning our ideas into a reality. His first solution, which is a fully adjustable arm to give Connor access to his iPhone, works very well; and Connor is completely jazzed about finally being able to explore some of the phone's features himself. Thanks, Joey!

Also, a quick kudo to Mike and the guys down at Predators Archery in Gilroy, who not only spent a bunch of time helping Brad and I think through some possible solutions for a problem we're trying to solve, but leant us a fairly expensive micro-scale overnight in order to do some measurements of Connor's abilities - no questions asked, no names taken or phone number jotted down - just "here, this will measure how much force he can apply - take it home and bring it back tomorrow". Their insight and helpfulness has given us new ideas to pursue in solving particular problems, and we're very thankful. Thanks, guys!

I would also be remiss if I didn't thank Brad for helping think these things through. He taught me yesterday that I don't have to be able to create a solution, but rather just think about who might have something that is already created that could be used for the problem we're trying to address. That's how we ended up at an archery shop even though the thing we're trying to do has nothing to do with archery. So thanks, bro, for your insight and ability to reason. I'll be borrowing it more often now that I know it's there!

OK, it's the beginning of the week in which we Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. For those of you who might be from other cultures and who don't have an understanding of Thanksgiving, it's a day when we consider the things for which we're thankful and then, well, give thanks for them. As seems obvious to me, it was originally a spiritual exercise - how can you give thanks unless you're giving them to Someone - and began well before the USA became a nation with the first European settlers to the continent. Nowadays, it's usually just an excuse to sit around, watch football, and eat inordinate amounts of food. But many of us, myself included, try to adhere to what I perceive was the original intent - to focus our thoughts on the provision and blessing of God on us as individuals, and as a people.

So, in that vein, I'm hereby setting up an exercise for us this week. Each day, I'm going to offer up one thing for which I am thankful. We'll go from now through Saturday, and I would like everyone who reads it to comment back with one thing they, personally are thankful for. The rule is that the thing you are thankful for has to begin with the letter that starts the day of the week we're on. For example, Monday's thankfulness thing has to start with "M", Wednesday's with "W", etc..

Clear? As mud, probably, but here goes...

Today is Sunday, so what am I thankful for that begins with "S"? That's an easy one - siblings. Brad, for being able to provide reason and objectivity to situations in which I keep getting tangled. Melissa, for understanding how to live in the now, day after day, and for trying to teach me how to do it without trying to teach me. Kent, for being passionate, and honest, and always good for a laugh or two. I love all three of you.

Now your turn - for what do you give thanks (that begins with "S")? Let's hear it...

----------------------------------------
Print This Page