Sebastian, Florida

Some of my blogs lately have been leaning toward the irreverent, so I thought I'd share a simple thought or two.  In a few hours I'll be flying to upstate New York to visit my family.  Whenever I reference "my family" it seems I need to clarify just who I'm talking about, at least to me. 

Is it MY family, the one I created when I married and sired children and worked to guide, protect and love?  Or is it my FAMILY - the group I was born into, the siblings and parents I grew up with - the ones you don't choose, but love just because ...you do?  I think it's probably MY FAMILY, which is a combination of the two - and all those beyond blood and genetics who have contributed to the quality and variety of my life. 

But this week I'm visiting my first family - the "clan where I began."  My Dad says I coined the phrase "Obscene Mob Scene" to describe the holiday gatherings.  I don't know - not much obscenity (never, actually), but plenty of mob.  He reminds me every year - our little tradition.

So when I visit MY FAMILY, I am grateful for the privilege of sharing my time on earth with them - there is no other WHEN I'd rather be.  I'm in the right place, but I'm also in the right time.

The other gratitude I have is for the freedom I have to go - on any given day - anywhere I want without restriction.  Even the annoying-yet-necessary security at airports, where I'll have to partially disrobe to prove I'm not a risk, is an inconvenience to ensure these open-travel conditions continue.  This is not a universal freedom in the world.

So, that's me and my thoughts.  I'm certain you have thousands of your own.  Just wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with memories of memories, as well as football, food, and family - YOUR FAMILY.  May God bless and keep you and yours.