Chapter 28 "Thanksgiving in August"

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

I think it is only appropriate to celebrate Thanksgiving in August, I may even prepare the fancy meal for I have so much to be thankful for.  There are a few people/organizations that have greatly contributed to my family coming out on the other side, sane and intact.

Our Military Kids gave Cooper a grant to attend martial arts for six months, free of charge.  I asked around and was given high recommendations for a local place, Phoenix Martial Arts, aka Eastern Shore Tang Soo Do.  I cannot express what a Godsend this grant was.  Twice a week I was able to have a thirty minute break that I didn't need to feel guilty for.  Eastern Shore Tang Soo Do went above and beyond for our family, in the times when Cooper was having difficulty, they made sure to give him the confidence in which he then used to excel.  I strongly urge anyone that is considering getting their child involved in something, look into martial arts, observe a class, ask around and find the right fit for your child, and if you are local to my area, you will not do better for your child than Eastern Shore Tang Soo Do.

I am thankful for my/our family that helped out or offered support.  In particular, my sister and her family gave up a lot of time to spend several weekends/weeks with us.  It is a bit of a haul to get from her house to mine, along with packing her daughter up and enduring the drive.  We are forever grateful for her/their sacrifice.  Never did she complain about the distance, nor make me feel bad for coming up.  They helped pass the time and provided us with great entertainment, and gave me a reason to cook.  When I think of family, she epitomizes it.  I know, without a doubt, she would drop everything if I asked her.  I know she wouldn't make me feel guilty or like an imposition for it.

I have a couple of close "real life" friends that offered on many occasions to entertain us.  I knew that if I was in a bind, they could be called upon and if they could, they would, no questions asked.  Countless meals were accompanied by play dates, usually a glass (or more) of wine.  They were never patronizing or judgmental about how I was or was not handling my life.  These friends have job(s) and families of their own, yet always found time to incorporate us into their lives.  They know who they are and I hope I can repay their friendship!

I have innumerable online friends and supporters.  Years ago, one of these friends had a picture online that stated "all my friends live in my computer", and that has stuck with me for all that time.  Though some people cannot be there to give you an actual hug or share in a glass of wine, they are without a doubt there; you know that they think of you because you think of them.  You share their joys, their sorrows, you anticipate the birth of their children, you watch them grow, you become so invested in their lives that you might very well be closer to them than those who are right next to you.  They understand things that no one else could come close to understanding.  No one on the outside could ever understand the bond we share.

There are many other people who have contributed in some way or another, sometimes it was simply a cashier that noticed my military ID, or someone that inquired about my "Son in Service" magnet on the car and thanked our family for our service/sacrifice and asked that I also pass along their gratitude to Brian.  It is hard to be in this position, to be forced to ask for help or to accept it when you prefer to do things on your own, so I was especially grateful for anyone that has taken that burden from me and just extended a kindness.  I hope that someday I am able to pay it forward.

Come to think of it, I think I will have Thanksgiving in August, turkey with all the trimmings, I will invite family and friends and we will rejoice in the year that is soon behind us.  Perhaps I will find a way to involve those who cannot be here with us to celebrate, a Skype Thanksgiving, after all, we are used to that!



*If I did not mention you specifically, please do not allow your feelings to be hurt, my intention was to point out that there were many people that contributed to our success, I did not name anyone outright as to not cause drama.  Chances are if you are in our lives, you somehow helped us through and your efforts will be remembered.