I have been thinking that November is different than other months. To me, you can feel the change of seasons in the air. November makes me excited about deer season, college football, the upcoming basketball season, sitting around fire pits and family on Thanksgiving.

There is an old saying that states: “It is always a good day if you wake up above ground.” That is especially true in November! With that in mind, November, like the rest of 2020, will probably be different than other years that we have experienced. In my 68 years on earth I cannot remember a year of more unusual events.

With first the early economic boom, then Covid-19 hits, the shutdown, having to work from home, remote schooling and now the election, 2020 has been unusual. I have to say I am thankful this year is almost over. Despite all the tribulations we have experienced, over-all I still have a lot to be thankful for.

Now that I am mostly retired, my homelife has changed. I am home a lot more than I have ever been. I am thankful my wife likes having me around. Since my career had been in field sales, I have been on the road for most of the 43 years we have been married. She misses me and I her when we are apart. I am thankful she is still my best friend after all these years.

I am thankful that my sons and their families were able to spend extended time with us during the Covid-19 lockdown. It was no surprise to me we all got along for weeks on end while all living under one roof. Since our sons live far from us, we had a ball being doting grandparents to their kids for the first time. The Covid-19 crisis allowed them to stay with us much longer than they normally could have since they were all working from home. It made our day when our oldest son said the first few mornings back in Texas, he thought he was in Destin and when he realized he was not, it made him sad. Having them all here was AWESOME!

I am thankful we won the estate auction on our Missouri home and it did not turn out to be a money pit! The couple who owned the home from 1950, when it was built, were meticulous about its care and we feel blessed to be given the opportunity to continue its life journey going forward. While it will never be our primary residence, it is nice to have a place to call home when we visit my hometown. Our vision is that our out of area relatives and friends can use it when they visit the wine country of Missouri. We are truly blessed to be the next caretakers of a home so well loved and cared for.

I am thankful my 95-year-old mother-in-law is staying with us this November as Covid-19 finally makes it appearance in her retirement village. Our son said, “If a place is catching fire, don’t wait to leave until your home is on fire, get out before it’s too late!” Made sense, thus GiGi (Great Grandma) is staying with us! GiGi and I take a walk every day in the Florida sunshine, which would not happen if she wasn’t here. Gigi is an amazing lady. She just recently gave up competing in 5k events. She stated she has made her last missionary trip to Haiti working as a laborer for two weeks at a time. At 93 she took her last horse ride. My nephew teases her that she should take a parachute jump and she is up for it! I think that is one thing she should not do. We will see who wins that debate! I wouldn’t bet on me. My entire family loves her dearly and are so blessed to still have her as part of our clan.

Finally, I am thankful that my family will all be together at Thanksgiving, Covid-19 protocols willing. It is always fun to be together, continue family traditions and make new memories. Yes, I have much to be thankful for this year and hope you feel the same! Thanksgiving blessings to you and your families.

See you next month.