As I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking about how grateful I am to have a job I love, and that brings real value to my employers.  I saw two raccoons walking next to the road, which made me smile. A few miles down the road, I saw two young deer eating in the grass.  The thought hit me, ‘I love Life!’

I have had many pets throughout the years, and I loved them all unconditionally.  Someone asked, “Which pet is your favorite?” I responded, “The one I am with.”  It breaks my heart when I have to say goodbye, but deep down, I know I will see them again. When I walk in the door after work, I am usually greeted by Luca.  When I see him, my heart melts.  I am as glad to see him as he is me.  Most times, he jumps up to my shoulders.  Moxi also gets on my shoulders from time to time.  Both are getting big, so walking around with one of them on my shoulders is getting awkward as they try to keep their balance.  When they were little, it was easier for them to hang on.  Sometimes I help them by holding onto their tail to help keep their balance as I walk.  The only pet I had in years past that wanted to be on my shoulders was Ellie Mae, my hooded rat.  She and I went all over our small town on my bicycle.

Outside, I love hanging out with Axle and Paisley.  When I show one of them attention, the other one usually gets jealous.  I will soon have the Bug street legal and plan to take the dogs for rides.  Zora loved riding in the Bug. I think she considered that old car to be hers. 

When I was in college, I went deer hunting with some of my cousins in Arkansas.  I am not a natural hunter; I love to shoot guns, but to shoot something like a deer, I have a tough time pulling the trigger.  My cousins were determined that I was going to shoot my first deer, so they put me in a prime spot for a deer to run past me while the Beagles chased them.  I had my side-by-side 12-gauge double-barreled loaded with buckshot on the front trigger and a slug on the rear trigger.  I heard the Beagles starting the chase, so I got ready.   Before I knew it, a 10-point albino buck was running straight for me.  I tracked him with my shotgun as he came within a few feet of me, he ran past.  He was such a beautiful sight running by that I could not pull the trigger.   About 20 seconds later, I heard the roar of a shotgun as the guy next on the trail shot the deer.

Later that day, we were all eating lunch while the guy who bagged the deer was showing it off, Uncle Ivan asked me if I had seen the deer running.  I said I did, and he ran right past me.  He said, “Why didn’t you shoot it?”  I responded, “I didn’t have my camera.”   Right then, they all knew I wasn't really a hunter like they were, but we all had a good time that day.

Recently, Jennifer and I watched Hacksaw Ridge. The movie was about a guy who joined the Army during World War 2.  The only thing is, he did not want to carry or use a weapon. He wanted to be a Medic so he could help the wounded.  I don’t think I would go that far.  I would carry and use a weapon in defense of our country without a thought. But one line in that movie stood out to me.  “When the world is tearing itself apart, I want to try to piece it back together.”  I am not sure if those are the exact words, but you get the meaning.  In other words, why destroy life when you can help save it?  I am thankful for all who stand up when our country is at war with foreign enemies. They all have my utmost respect.

I started writing this a couple of weeks ago and am completing it on Thanksgiving morning.  I tend to start things when I get an idea, then life gets in the way, and I have to finish them when I get a chance.  This morning, I am grateful for the many blessings God has given my family and country.

I Love Life!!