Happy Thanksgiving!

I think this is a remarkable holiday because, unlike all the rest on the national level, we don’t celebrate a historic event or remember a specific person or group of people. Instead, Thanksgiving is really a holiday which celebrates a specific virtue, and that virtue is gratitude.

There’s the old adage that goes something like; “I wish there was a way to know you’re in the good ole’ days while they’re still happening”. As one gets older, he recognizes the wisdom of this statement. But I can honestly say that things have not been better for me personally than they are today and I think that taking a moment to reflect on all the blessings of life and offering real gratitude may be the best way to realize that these are actually the good ole’ days.

I’ve long believed that there are four major pillars upon which we need to build a good life – physical, financial, social, and spiritual – and over the past few years I’ve made great improvements in all of these. I’m currently in the best physical health than I’ve been in this century, our financial situation is solid, I’ve worked on some of the best music I’ve ever produced and I have re-discovered my Catholic faith in the most solid way. There still is certainly a lot of work to be done, but it’s good to be headed in the right direction.

And then there’s my incredible family, starting with my wonderful wife of 28 years, our four adult children, my mother who is still going strong into her mid-eighties, and especially that pleasant, curious, and happy little granddaughter with whom I’ve been bonding with more and more as she gives me fresh enthusiasm for this world. And she could not have better parents than my son and daughter-in-law, who are so well adapted to being first time parents.

Now, with all this happy-happy stuff, I am still aware that a shoe could drop at any moment and all this great “luck” can come crashing down. There’s tragedy in every life ultimately, and it’s times like those when we really need to turn to God. But I’d like to make the far less common gesture of turning towards God at this incredible moment in time when I reflect on how fortunate my family and I are at this time.

So I’m happy to give thanks to Lord Jesus for this life he has provided and wish good blessings for you all.

~ Ric Albano
 November 2024