Giving Thanks

[Purron]

What are you thankful for? DH and I are thankful to have our health more than anything.

 

[martyb]

I'm very thankful that I, my wife, my mom (83 in Feb '13), all my kids (4) and grand-kids (3 so far), and my 2 sisters are all in decent health. Even my best friend is doing ok. None of the rest matters nearly as much as that.

Of course, I'm also thankful that I've nearly made it to retirement! Only 60 days to go, and if I subtract vacation days (off all this week plus 2 more weeks late December-early January!), weekends & holidays...I really only have around 22 WORKING days remaining! That's when I'll be officially FI. The retired part....well, I'm still thinking about it. I'll claim RE on January 18th, when I'll be officially eligible to begin taking my pension that is enough to cover all current living expenses and a little more, plus I'll be eligible to take penalty-free withdrawals from my TSP.

 

[NW-Bound]

Yes, we are also thankful for our health. Then, that our children have jobs. That food is still abundant and low-cost that our dietary concern is with weight control, not affordability. Electric and water on demand, at the touch of a switch or a faucet, etc...

So many things to be thankful for, and to do a proper celebration would require more food and drink than we should consume. Else, I can just go on and on...

 

[frayne]

Thankful to have seven good years of retirement under my belt, good health, good wife, great son and daughter in law and two beautiful grandkids. It doesn't get any better than this.

 

[imoldernu]

Thankful to be so free of worldly cares that we have unlimited time to think of and care about others, and their future.

This speaks to me:

On His Blindness

When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
"Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?"
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need
Either man's work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o'er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait."
John Milton

 

[Ally]

Thankful that since I have to work a little longer, I work with friends of 20+years. Thankful for our family's health and that we are welcomed always into our children's lives to spend lots of time with 6 grandchildren. Thankful for our pets and after reading these forums, thankful for my husband's government pension!

 

[Ed_The_Gypsy]

I am still alive. (Of course, there are people who are not thankful that I am.)

 

[heeyy_joe]

Only in America do we trample over people to grab the sale merchandise exactly hours after giving thanks for all we have.

I am thankful that I have reached the point in my life where possessions that were once viewed as assets now seem to be like liabilities. Every thing I sell or give away takes one more little piece of stress off of me.

 

[MichaelB]

DW and I are thankful we can help out a little when others need and not have to look to others for help.

 

[WhoDaresWins]

I am thankful for my good health, my family and friends and my mundane life, where any worries that I have are of boring garden variety.

 

[donheff]

I am often amazed at my good fortune. Covers the gamut from health to work to family. When I reflect on other possibilities I always think, "there but for the grace of God go I." I don't think an actual God had any hand in my good fortune but accidents of birth, personal choices, living in the USA, and simple good luck had everything to do with it.

 

[NW-Bound]

Only in America do we trample over people to grab the sale merchandise exactly hours after giving thanks for all we have.

Yes, and the hours are getting even shorter, as stores cannot even wait until midnight to open to shoppers.

Perhaps shoppers participate in the mad dash to burn off the calories they just consume.

I usually just go to sleep when I am full, and we all know sleeping people burn off calories at a slower rate. Perhaps I did it all wrong.

 

[Moemg]

This year we have a lot to be thankful for two new grandchildren , a daughter in law who is healthy after almost dying in childbirth , the youngest passing the bar & getting a job and finally my Mother at 96 doing great after breaking her shoulder .

 

[Bestwifeever]

This year we have a lot to be thankful for two new grandchildren , a daughter in law who is healthy after almost dying in childbirth , the youngest passing the bar & getting a job and finally my Mother at 96 doing great after breaking her shoulder .

You have a lot to be thankful for there, Moe! I'll go with babies too -- one here and one on the way.

 

[rescueme]

What are you thankful for?

Not a darn thing...

 

[scrabbler1]

I am thankful that my early retirement of the last 4 years has gone so well, including my health.

 

[MichaelB]

I have to add .. I am so thankful I don't have to go to work.

 

[Purron]

I have to add .. I am so thankful I don't have to go to work.

Expanding on your thought, I'm thankful I don't have to:

- Drive on the Capital Beltway;
- Kowtow to my disagreeable boss;
- Participate in office parties;
- Travel for work;
- Worry about driving in ice and snow;
- Attend meetings;
- Receive an annual performance appraisal;
- Go to work.

 

[ls99]

The US gave me a new country, paid them back with service in the Army. Thankful I survived the experience and made it ER.

 

[Purron]

The US gave me a new country, paid them back with service in the Army. Thankful I survived the experience and made it ER.

Thankful you came here!

 

[behappy]

Thankful to have the opportunity to RE with decent FI and having the wisdom to pull the trigger this year. I thank almighty God for making this happen.

 

[easysurfer]

First of all, I'm thankful for my health.

Then, I'm thankful that I decided to just take it easy this holiday stay home, no going to do the mad shopping or fight traffic driving many miles back and forth

 

[Ronstar]

We're thankful for our health, and to be living a life with housing, food, necessities, and other things to the level that few people in this world enjoy.

 

[obgyn65]

I am thankful to have the opportunity to help all my patients, here and abroad.

 

[obgyn65]

With all due respect, rescueme, I think that's sad.

Not a darn thing...