Who to give thanks to is not a difficult question depending on the size of family that you have. I have a rather large Italian family so to choose who we should start with would be your closest - parents or grandparents, then siblings, sons and daughters, Godparents and your aunts, uncles and cousins.  All of the elders will be the first in line to give your thanks to - second in line, your cousins and - third your in-laws, sometimes they be first in line depending on the respect that is given to you too by them all year. Your wife or husbands cousin in-laws as well. Friends are big parts of people’s lives as well, sometimes we are closer to our friends than our family which we call Bros and Cuz’s (Cousins). Most of us have them, grew-up with them and love them like brothers and sisters!   

While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table.

     The main thing that I have to be thankful for though is to be alive.

Living from one day to the next is the hardest part of our lives, with all that is happening in the world today - war is a never ending battle because there will always be others unhappy with their lives and anyone who is happy. But what can we do, bow down and let whoever win the fight? or stay strong, rise and battle every battle that comes our way? My own family is alive and well and mostly don’t have to fight the wars that an Epileptic has to - thank God because it’s a never ending battle! I fight through all my battles and wait to see what tomorrow has in store for me and so should you!

There are many other things as well to be thankful for while we are alive and well. Do as much as you can with the time that you have with each other, whether it be playing sports, watching movies, listening to music of all sorts - like Vinyl records which has become my favorite - collecting/reading books, writing and/or raising pets like my Sammy who licks me everyday to check-up on me and make sure that I am still alive and wake up from short naps. Sammy is a dog, what else can he do to show affection?  These are just some hobbies that I have as well as taking RC monster trucks to a rather large park or track for fun and enjoyment with my wife, Michelle.

There is so much more in anyone’s life from family and friends to pets and hobbies to be thankful for. A few things that I would like to have in my life which is beginning to look promising is a DNA blood test covered now by Medicare, and possibly other insurances as well with no hospital stay necessary. Just a simple blood test which used to cost $5,000 and will hopefully be done in 3 months once it is approved. I will keep you informed of the results and what they find. I am hopeful it will lead to great things and possibly the right medication.

Be thankful this Thanksgiving. Never give up and be thankful for everyday that you have with loved ones!