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Giving Thanks
Old 11-20-2012, 05:48 PM   #1
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Giving Thanks

What are you thankful for? DH and I are thankful to have our health more than anything.
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Old 11-20-2012, 05:57 PM   #2
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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.
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Old 11-20-2012, 06:04 PM   #3
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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...
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Old 11-20-2012, 06:11 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 11-20-2012, 06:19 PM   #5
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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:

Quote:
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
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Old 11-20-2012, 07:25 PM   #6
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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!
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Old 11-20-2012, 07:43 PM   #7
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I am still alive. (Of course, there are people who are not thankful that I am.)
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Old 11-20-2012, 07:53 PM   #8
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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.
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Old 11-21-2012, 04:33 AM   #9
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DW and I are thankful we can help out a little when others need and not have to look to others for help.
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Old 11-21-2012, 04:40 AM   #10
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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.
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Old 11-21-2012, 05:30 AM   #11
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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.
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Old 11-21-2012, 09:09 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heeyy_joe View Post
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.
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Old 11-21-2012, 09:18 AM   #13
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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 .
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Old 11-21-2012, 11:01 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by 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 .
You have a lot to be thankful for there, Moe! I'll go with babies too -- one here and one on the way.
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Old 11-21-2012, 11:58 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by Purron View Post
What are you thankful for?
Not a darn thing...
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Old 11-21-2012, 12:59 PM   #16
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I am thankful that my early retirement of the last 4 years has gone so well, including my health.
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Retired in late 2008 at age 45. Cashed in company stock, bought a lot of shares in a big bond fund and am living nicely off its dividends. IRA, SS, and a pension await me at age 60 and later. No kids, no debts.

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Old 11-21-2012, 01:17 PM   #17
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I have to add .. I am so thankful I don't have to go to work.
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Old 11-21-2012, 03:03 PM   #18
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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.
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Old 11-21-2012, 03:12 PM   #19
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The US gave me a new country, paid them back with service in the Army. Thankful I survived the experience and made it ER.
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Old 11-21-2012, 03:16 PM   #20
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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!
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