Another Thanksgiving just passed and as we get older those holidays do seem to come closer together. It will soon be Christmas, and although I have been able to really let go of most of the hype that surrounds each holiday, it still creates a certain amount of stress on everyone just because of the stress that crass commercialism creates. Jason and I had Thanksgiving dinner at our church yesterday, and it was very well attended and a blessing for those of us who have no family close. Everyone brings a dish, a special member of the church cooked two turkeys and with each person bringing a special dish, it is truly a feast.

What a joy it is to have Jason at home and doing better each day. He is still going to Methodist for two hours of hyperbaric treatment each day, and I know he does get tired of that, it is certainly better than being a patient in the hospital. He did not have to go yesterday and today, and that was a welcome relief, because he goes five days a week for two hours. I know that must get very wearing. I feel such compassion for him and realize that life can throw curve balls at us through no fault of our own. He is doing quite well with his diabetic diet and insulin, but it is an issue all of the time. I know because I also have diabetes. In fact, some days I feel guilty because the disease comes from my side of the family and a genetic disease like this is really quite a pain literally, and yet we cannot really ever get rid of it completely. Sometimes I feel like just giving up, eating all the chocolate I want and take the consequences, but I won’t do it.

I am so thankful to have Jason in my life. I hate it when he is ill and it often scares me to death when he gets really sick, but I appreciate him so very much. He is a very kind and caring person, and I do Thank God everyday that I still have him. I think we often take the people in our lives for granted, and it is good to have a day to be truly thankful for them and all that we do have.

When we each introduced ourselves at church yesterday and each of us said what we were grateful for, I realized when several were thankful about the election results that I had almost forgotten the election. I too am glad that the election turned out the way it did. I think I might have moved to another country if the Republicans won. I truly am afraid of them and how they think. When they brought up how little Obama had done I thought of how he tried to work across the aisle, but they were mostly not willing, and how they got us into this mess but expected Obama to solve all the problems in four years.

I read a story in Newsweek about Romney and mentioned the fact that he had never worked a day in his life. He was not a businessman as he claimed, but a Corporate Raider who knew all the loopholes and laws of buying and selling companies, and that’s what he did. That is how he made his money, not by hard work but by knowing and using all the angles that Washington provides for those who want to and know how to make a quick buck. Above all, I respect Obama for his integrity, and although he cannot please everyone all the time I believe he is trying his best.

I know that those of you who support the Republicans may not agree, but I remember how many said they would not work with the Democrats, would never compromise and knew they were right. How can this world ever come together and work for all people instead of the elite and the wealthy when there are legislators who never have and will never see those in poverty and view Social Security, Medicare and other programs as unearned. I had parents who had great difficulty in their lives. My father lost his job as a welder during the Great Depression, and they were hard pressed to raise four children during that time, but with the help of unions, social Security and other programs, they made it. All four of us went to College, earned our degrees, sometimes multiple ones and understood and appreciated our parents and their sacrifices. And they made many of them for their family. Roosevelt was their hero and he did so much for those who had so little, now the government looks to see what they can take away from many struggling workers.

I know that when my father first went to work for the railroad, unions were a dirty word and had become corrupt in some situations, but they helped my parents and this county in immeasurable ways. Many situations change over the years and now unions are not always the way, but perhaps they held the line on the enormous salaries that CEOs are now making. It used to be that they never made more than eight times what the lowest salaried worker made. Now it is thousands. What is happening? Why do some people have so much while we still have to provide Thanksgiving dinner for many. Instead of those on high looking at programs that benefit the little guy, and trying to cut them, how about looking at those who get free insurance(the best) like legislators, tax breaks, and so many entitlements. The Greed is so prevalent in our society, it’s truly scary. I am so glad my parents lived when they did, really were thankful for the help they received, but also worked their tails off.

I read Cemetery Girl yesterday, but can’t remember the author. I’m also finally reading Don’t Shoot which our church is becoming involved in. It is about the differences David Kennedy and others made in a program re violence and gangs and are bringing it to Peoria. I also read Lily White by Susan Isaacs and several others that were just lighter reading. Have a Happy Holliday Season!