hanksgiving, a time for reflection, an occasion for friends and family to gather together and the one holiday embraced by all Americans - those of faith and those who put no store in a God. When I pray, and I think this is true with most people, it usually commences with the words "Please God," followed by a hope for something positive in response...for my family, myself, my nation and our world. I have no idea whether God hears the message, but I do believe, perhaps simplistically, that prayer works and that it is something other than imploring God. Prayer, be it simply grace before a meal, or something we internalize, brings out humility in each of us. It may even have a physiologically beneficial influence on the body. I prayed at boarding school during World War 2, as a young child, and while others died, I survived, not because I prayed, but it helped me deal with the situations I faced.
I have prayed more this year concluding, than I have in many a year.
Uppermost in my mind has been the health of my wife. It has been over a year since she was stricken with a paralyzing stroke. Progress continues along a painful and slow path. Her mind has returned to the way it was; she's as sharp as ever and even more loving. The restoration of the body has been slower. Just last month, for the first time since she became ill, , she was able to walk about twenty yards in her therapy sessions. I thank God for the continued recovery.
For the Jacksons this year brought us our fourth grandchild. Today we are expecting our fifth. Maybe today, more likely tomorrow, whenever she's ready.
After a year away from the microphone I found a new professional home at the CBS powerhouse of a radio station, KNX.
In that regard 2004 has been memorable. Counting one's blessings, I have always believed (and appreciating them), frequently brings more blessings.
My prayer this Thanksgiving, is for our nation's young men and women who are serving with bravery and courage in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. May they return home, soon. May they come back to the lives they left behind and be able to pick up where they left off. It will be tough for them. So many were and are still, teenagers. They have had to kill and face death, day in and day out.
Happy Thanksgiving.