Thanksgiving is tomorrow and I have more than usual to be thankful for this year. First, I’m thankful for my family, for so many reasons. I’m thankful for all the support of my partner, as I finally finished up my master’s degree, and as we purchased our first house. I’m grateful, too, for the housing crisis, as we have a double-lot with lots of room for my gardens. Plus our new neighborhood is like Northern Exposure meets Gilmore Girls, we feel so lucky to live here.

I’m thankful for my daughter’s stubborness. She graduated high school and decided against college right away, instead marrying her boyfriend of two years, a medic in the Army. Their decision was not one we agreed with. They’re too young. They need to mature. They only gave us six weeks to plan a wedding. But now that the shock’s worn off and it’s all over, I realize she has grown into a young woman who can stand up to authority to reach her own goals for her own life. I’m proud of her.

I’m also thankful for all of my family for, frankly, putting up with me. I’m not always the easiest person to live with, especially if I’m having a fatigue day … or week … or any other kind of MS flare-up. This year’s been jam-packed with so many great events, and great events spell stress. It turns out even good stress can trigger MS exacerbations. Since Labor Day I’ve been hit with three MS symptoms, including two brand-new ones, and it’s always hard to learn how to live with disabilities when they sneak up on you. I’m grateful these symptoms haven’t engulfed my life, and that I’m surrounded by so many awesome people who have experienced similar things. I’m grateful that new terrain for me is an old dusty road for others, and that they give me directions.

Some of you who follow my blog may be amused to learn that I am thankful for my new dog. She’s a bagle – beagle/basset hound mix – and her name is Bella. Yes, she matches my floppy hat and dork vest. So now I have the whole set. I’m so grateful for the gift of seeing our world through joyful puppy eyes.

Especially, I am thankful that there are so many things in my life that are wonderful that they simply cannot fit into a short blog entry.

Happy Thanksgiving! May your gratitude list be long and may your thankfulness spill out onto those around you.

In orphanages in the east european nation of Romania many children suffer from severe mentla and physical problems as a direct result of the actions and inactions of the orphanages and workers who take care of them. Special needs children in some of the numerous orphanages accross Romania are often left to fedn for themselves, receive very little or no support or care. Some children are even tied to beds, left in dirty clothes and not given food. I have so much to thankful for living here in the United States that I must share some of it with those who are not as fortunate as I am. Anyone interested in learning about my interests or plans to volunteer in a Romanian orphanage or to make a contribution is welcome to contact by any of the foolowing means: KEVIN BECK 5750 BOULDER HIGHWAY APARTMENT 40 LAS VEGAS, NEVADA 89122 PHONE 702-624-7619 EMAIL: KEVINBECK1@HOTMAIL.COM