“The Holidays - Giving Thanks for the People in our Lives”

With the holidays quickly approaching it’s a special time of giving thanks. We have so much to be thankful for, here are just a few things to think about.

Family - Family is always there to help us and guide us and to be a safe refuge no matter how terrible a storm life throws our way. When we are all sitting around watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoying the day, with kids running here and there and people talking and smiles on everyone’s face… there is a special feeling. Family is important, I have to say that growing up I did not have a large family. But now with all of my wife’s family we have very large and extended family. And I have to say there is something great about having a very large and extended family.

I remember sitting on the couch and with all the family over for the holidays and the kids where playing and everyone was talking and having a good time. And I turned to my brother-in-law and said “It doesn’t get any better than this” and he smiled and said “Yes there’s nothing better”.
So perhaps it’s important give thanks for family, no matter if our family is near or far.

Friends - Friends are the ones who come to us in times of need… they help us when things are very hard. Not with monetary needs but with loving support, being there for us when we need a shoulder to lean on. Friends are there to gather round during the holidays to make life special. To laugh, to play, to have fun, just like little kids… that’s what friends are all about.

Many have close friends who are so close that it seems they’ve been together since the beginning of time. There is a close camaraderie that’s impossible to put into words. Thus friends are the icing on the cake that make life worth living.
Thus perhaps it’s important to give thanks for all the friends we have near and far.

People Who Help Us Along the Way - I am sure that everyone of us has had a helping hand now and then. Even as far back as grade school, high school, and college we’ve had people in our lives who’ve helped us in innumerable ways. Perhaps there was a special teacher who was important, or a coach, or some other special person who was important. I remember my 4th grade teacher she was very important to me, she was very loving and kind and perhaps I wanted to emulate her.

Or perhaps there is someone who was significant such as a mentor who was willing to give of his time and energy to help in some way. It’s amazing how meeting someone at the gym, the parks, or standing in line at the post office can turn into a life long relationship of loving kindness. Eventually changing life in amazing ways, in business, with health, and so much more.

So perhaps it’s important to give thanks for all the people who have helped us over the years.

And Most Importantly Our Parents - Sometimes we forget about all the pain and suffering that mother’s and father’s go through to bring us up and making sure we survive. It’s not easy with young children, and especially teenagers and dating and all the other stuff that goes along with it. I remember one time my brother and I got the bright idea of flying the lawn mower of the roof of the house. Thank goodness mom caught us or we might not be here today.

And all those heart aches and trying times at school that mothers and fathers have to put up with. And all those brown bag lunches that parents make it’s really not easy. But they do it all willingly and lovingly… every second of it (Well when they look back of course).

So perhaps it’s important to give thanks for those people who brought us into the world, kept us safe, fed and clothed us, and gave us all their wisdom so we could be here right now.

And I thank all of you for being in my life… everyone of you are important to me!

Dr. Paul Haider