Thanksgiving is one of my very favorites!  During Thanksgiving, as I give thanks for all that I have, I will also give sincere thanks for all that I have had.  Here’s wishing you and yours a most meaningful Thanksgiving experience!

Actually, blue jays – that’s right… blue jays, as in the pretty blue bird…  The other day I was driving to work, and I saw blue jays under a nice shade tree – there were eight or nine!!!  I’ve never seen that before.  I’ve maybe seen two at a time, but never that many!  I almost slammed on my brakes to get a better look, but something spooked ‘em – probably me – and they flew up into the tree – I lost sight of ‘em.  I think that’s how it is when our loved ones die – we know exactly where they went – we (just) lose site of ‘em.  Oh, they’re there okay – not that far away, but back in the nest from whence they came – safely at home!  We’re the ones who are still floundering on this earth – they’ve flown home, as angels fly, just like those gorgeous blue birds of happiness!  So… when you’re having one of those blue days, remember this little analogy of the blue jays.

We move forward not only ‘on’ purpose, but ‘with’ purpose.  It’s just what we do.  Life goes on.  Like it or not…  I’m not talking politics anymore – I’m talking grief.  No matter what caused your grief – it could be the death of a loved one, but it may be something totally different.  You’ve heard that everyone’s fighting something, right?  Well, everyone’s dealing with some kind of grief - to some degree anyway… and all I’m saying is… we do what we have to do and keep going!  Keep going not only ‘on’ purpose, but ‘with’ purpose.  Some people get bogged down with just what the heck their purpose is, so they do nothing – I say ‘Hogwash’!  Do something that helps other people - something for a good cause – now, that’s doing ‘on’ purpose and ‘with’ purpose!  Just do what you hafta do and keep goin…

Well, it’s finally over, and we know who our next president is going to be.  And I have a couple of things to say about it.  First – to Senator McCain, thank you for giving it all you’ve got.  And secondly - to President-Elect Obama, congratulations.  Now… to you, the reader of this blog…  If your candidate lost, be a gracious loser – remember, you’re outnumbered - you’re in the minority.  And if your candidate won, be a gracious winner – remember, the popular vote was pretty darn close – a little less than half the people in our nation are sad, mad, etc. – in other words, they’re in grief.  So be careful not to rub their noses in it – be careful how you celebrate.  But above all else – no matter if your candidate won or lost… realize God is in ultimate control!  And in that, we may all rejoice!  As always… God Bless America

I’m sure the lines will be long, but please be patient.  By all means, please vote today.

Senator Obama’s grandmother died yesterday so he’s surely experiencing mixed feelings.  Obviously our heart goes out to his family in their time of grief.  He set a good example by going to see her recently – let’s all learn from that example - let’s make time to reach out, in love, to those who’ve loved us – to those who’ve supported us, especially as we were growing up – this should definitely include all veterans who so bravely fought for our right to vote in this dynamic democracy we call ‘home’!

If any of you, who are reading this, are still undecided about whom to vote for, don’t try to decide by yourself, but rather try to decipher who God wants to be president of the United States – after all, it’s His land, and we’re His people.  I sincerely pray that we, the people, elect the president whom He wants to lead us into the future.