Last night as I began to develop today's blog, I considered several paths for discussion, but I was distracted by the upcoming holiday, Thanksgiving. I realize the time of year is both a joy and a bane.  It's a joy when your family, friends, job and life in general are going well AND you enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. It's a bane when any of the aforementioned things are experiencing rough times and you are reminded of your difficulty each day. Several things distracted me. I, of course, have to cook and I will be entertaining my grandchildren beginning this evening. Therefore, last night I mixed my brine for the turkey, chopped and cleaned vegetables, finished my turkey stock for gravy and got started on the stuffing. This should leave me enough time tonight to eat sushi with the 10-year old (and I thought Mexican was exotic when I was a kid), play a game or two, prepare some popcorn and watch two movies that I would never rent. Before sending them to bed, I'll read them a favorite story and a new story. It's our routine.

Thursday has its own energy. It is the day for cooking the traditional foods and, perhaps, one surprise. Their parents will arrive around noon and the laughter and game playing will crescendo to a just tolerable level. In a few hours, dinner is ready and we always give thanks for the day and having the family together.

This year I will look at them and realize the blessings I have received with a renewed awareness. One of my co-worker's children has an inoperable brain tumor. The odds of her being cured are very long. I think about her every day. My marketing team and I have done our best to raise awareness of her situation and money to support her travel and other costs not covered by insurance. It is the best use of our skills and resources. Today, I ask that you find some time this weekend to appreciate the good in your life and perhaps visit www.curebrianna.com. I know that I will be hugging my grandkids just a little bit tighter.

Enjoy a very Happy Thanksgiving!