Thankful.... yes, I would agree with that...

Well, I was very bitter for most of this year or at least when it came to not being to help my wife.

However, what has happened has made more thankful and stronger than I ever have been. First off, medical science is amazing. I am in great gratitude to the nurses and doctors who have worked with my wife and my daughter to enable them to become and stay healthy. Second, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy needs to be thanked because without his death after two days of being born it is likely that awareness and research regarding premature babies would not have advanced as far as it has in my opinion.

I hate not having our daughter home but know it is just a matter of weighting. Corny pun completely intended. I am very thankful she is healthy and continues to grow. I promise as a future social worker that I will not give her princess syndrome and I am thankful for learning about that.

Beside being thankful for Tash and Nadezhda my family has really supported me and us during this year. The Bodamers, Thatchers, Steenlands, Gabriels and Panebeancos have supported us greatly and I am extremely thankful for having all of you in our lives.

Tomorrow we will be relaxing with my in-laws at our home in North Hanover (the farm). We have a turkey ready to go and a lot of other foods to enjoy as well. I would never be able to express my gratitude enough towards my in-laws for their support and help. Having someone there whenever you need them is a great stress reliever. Without their support I might be in a mental hospital.

I am thankful to the men who I rely on in my life as a channel for support when I need to vent or talk. Dennis, Jesse, UJ, John, DeCarlo, Ezeev.... the list goes on and on as I have conversations with men I have known for many years.

Lastly, I am thankful to myself for getting a bachelor's degree this year and beginning my masters. For my acceptance to their MSW program I am thankful to Rutgers for recognizing my greatness and potential as a future social worker. School excites and inspires me and I love attending Rutgers and discussing the issues of society with my classmates.

I am always questioned about which holidays I celebrate which I politely decline to answer in most situations when I am sober. What I do believe in is humanity and the closeness of family during this time of year. I enjoy seeing my family and friends and I enjoy it even more with some wine.

Family is an important treasure that many take for granted or even shun. It is our family that molds our values and beliefs. I am thankful to my family for helping me throughout my times of need and I only hope that I have been supportive in their times of need.