Every Thanksgiving, my wife Sandi puts on the calendar a Turkey.   A construction paper turkey.   With construction paper feathers.    All month, this Turkey looks at us and occasionally, I look back at it.    I think this was an idea from her sister.   I don’t know.   But like I said, this turkey has cut out feathers attached to it.   Each one is written on by a different family member.   One from her, one from each of her folks and one from her son, her brother, her sister, and even me.  (I got grafted on the bird in 2006).     And on each feather each person made a list of things that they are thankful for.    It went up on our wall about the time the stock market went south.    (See photo attached)

We are hammered every day by the media on how “bad” the economy is.  (If I hear the word “crisis” one more time………I am going to GIVE them one!!)    Fact is its getting tough for many.   We have good friends that are unemployed and fearful for what tomorrow will bring.   We have family members worried about what is going to happen next year with their jobs.   My wife and I are commission only earners who are dependent on a strong housing market and strong business climate’s advertising revenues for our livelihood.   People’s 401K’s are dropping like drunks after a Greek wedding.    And so it goes.

But as I look at the construction paper Turkey on my calendar and I read the blessings, I don’t see “a strong economy” listed.   I don’t see “my savings account” on the list.   And “my humongous 401K retirement fund” is nowhere to be found …..(literally J) 

But I what I do see are friends, family and God repeated over and over again on every feather.   

And interestingly enough, no matter who is President, what the state of the economy is in, or which CEO is surfing in Aruba with his (our) bailout money, these are things that do not change:  God, Family and Friends remain constant.  I am reminded in challenging times especially, just how important and how much a blessing they are to us.  Because of them, I will always have much to be thankful for.   I don’t know how long the present hardships will continue…..my crystal ball is broken, and I can’t read tea leaves.   

But I can read turkey feathers.  

Thank you for being on them.  From our house to yours, please have a very Happy Thanksgiving!