Posted by Mike O on: 11.22.2006 /
Because tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Helen has graciously allowed me to post a day early.
THANK YOU to my wife for loving me no matter what. I know I’m a jerk when I get tired or when I get an idea in my head of how things should be. But I am so proud of you! And I know I would not be half the man I am today if it weren’t for you.
THANK YOU to my son for putting up with me, and even though I’m such a fart sometimes, we’re still buds and you still love me. And now that you’re getting ready for college I am grateful that you are ready to go. I know I kid about that, but I’m grateful that you’re ready, not that you’re going. Your leaving makes me sad. Always remember that I am incredibly proud of you and I can hardly wait to see the man my son turns into.
THANK YOU to my mom and dad for giving me the room to explore my faith when I was a kid and figuring out for myself that it was real, instead of just forcing me to believe like you did. You handled me well! I don’t know what it’s like to have a dysfunctional family and I owe that to you. I grew up in a home with two parents that loved each other and that loved me. I have no idea what it feels like to be abandoned, and for that I am grateful.
THANK YOU to Ir (Helen) for giving me a chance to ‘mix it up’ with people who don’t think like I do. It’s been a fun, wonderful ride and I hope the ride goes on for a long, long time.
THANK YOU to Siamang for letting me be your ‘ball of yarn’ on the discussion board. There’s a lot more to come on the whole evolution/creation topic and I really appreciate your sense of humor and explanations as I work my way through the data.
THANK YOU to everyone else here at eBay atheist, for welcoming me into your family and just being willing to talk to me. For that, I am grateful.
THANK YOU to my employer for paying me a fair wage.
THANK YOU to our armed forces who are doing such a great job serving this great country. As an American, I sometimes forget how good I have it. And I owe a lot of the good that I experience in my life to you. Thank you!
And THANK YOU to all those who went before us in the past 230 years, keeping America what it is today. America is a free nation and a land of plenty. May we continue to use our freedom and our plenty to be a source of help for people around the globe who aren’t as blessed we are.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Comment by: Ir (Helen)
1Thanks Mike!
I’ve been thinking this week about how I would feel if someone said to me “Let’s all consider what we have to be thankful for”. I’d be torn between “Great idea - being reminded to focus on the positive things in my life is always helpful to me” and “Hey, if I want to think about that I will, in my own time. Quit bugging me!” I’m just being honest.
What I love about this, Mike, is a) you didn’t tell me to do anything and b) you’re actually saying thank you to people. Wow - I have no mixed feelings about that!
Ok, well…I want to say THANK YOU to everyone associated with Off The Map or who I have cyber-met because of Off The Map who has been kind to me this year (that includes you, Mike!). That has meant a lot to me and has helped me not to retreat in discouragement and stop engaging with people. I didn’t realize I was doing that at the beginning of this year, but when I look back, I was. I am so glad that coming across Off The Map has ‘got me back in the game’, as it were. So thankful, maybe I should say ;-).
Comment by: Ron
2My wife and I have had I guess a paradigm shift in how we think of Thanksgiving this year. We stopped blogging when we moved and I started Seminary and just a few short weeks in, our home burned to the ground and we lost everything that we have ever known including our precious three dogs and a cat. They were our babies. Since the fire our eyes have been opened to a new way of thinking and feeling. Since we had just moved, we didn’t have insurance. I had talked to one company and they said they couldn’t give us insurance becase the home was too far back of the property. As I was looking for someone else to insure it, the home burned. We are so very thankful for the people around us that have come to our rescue in emotional ways and material ways. There is no way possible to express this gratitude in words.
We have a new perspective in how truly thankful we are for our families and friends and community. Strange as it may seem, part of our community has been this blog. It is the only blog I have ever been a part of and the things that I have gained here helped prepare me for going into Seminary and I am extremely thankful for the dialogue that has taken place and the friendships that have been gained through respect.
So thank you Off-the-map and everyone here for what you have contributed to my life, even if in small ways.
Ron
Comment by: Arlene Olson
3Mike,
It’s always nice to be appreciated as a parent - so thank-you Mike. It’s amazing to us how such a good kid emerged from so many mistakes. But I really believe only two things are needed to be a successful parent: 1. that you genuinely love your child and 2. that he/she know it.
We’re very proud of you, Mike. Happy Thanks-giving.
Love,
Mom & Dad
Comment by: Ir (Helen)
4Ron, what a neat surprise to see your name here again!
Wow, I’m so sorry to hear about your home and your pets. :(
I’m glad if we’ve been of any help to you. Thank YOU for being kind to me.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
5Mikes parents get the coolest people in the world award from me
Comment by: Ir (Helen)
6Jim wrote:
I agree! Have you seen that each of them have posted OAs on the OA blog:
Arlene Olson’s OA
Ernie Olson’s OA
Comment by: Eliza
7Thank YOU, Mike, for sharing your touching thanks messages. (And to your parents for their wonderful comments, too. They sure did a good job raising you!)
Ron, I’m sorry to hear about your house and especially your dogs and cat. That’s so sad. I’m glad that you and your wife weren’t caught in the fire, too, and have had such good help from people.