Thanksgiving is tomorrow, the holidays are upon us. A time for family, joy, and thankfulness. Or it should be. I have made no secret of my disdain for the holiday season, especially Christmas, since my divorce. I don't have my kids on most holidays. Depressing and unfair? Well, yea, but it is my truth. For the most part I am at peace with it, their mother works a lot and weird hours so I do what ever takes to make sure they see her as much as they can. Lonely? I am not the only father who spends the holidays without his children and I take some twisted solace in that. So this year instead of dwelling on the fact that I am alone I will try to remain thankful for what I do have.
I had a friend say to me about this picture "you get to be that Dad." Coaching football has become such a huge part of my life. If life hadn't made the turns it did it is something I would never had done.
I get to be a Cheer Dad, I know this is something that a lot of men don't experience. Mainly because I am usually the only man there. I would have missed this.
I get to go fishing whenever I want. Ok, not whenever I want but a lot.
I have a kickass old truck (refer to blog post Why My Truck Is Better Than Your Girlfriend) she is old and busted, she is on the cusp of 200,000 miles, but we have had a great many adventures together. She is here to stay.
I had an article published this year. I don't give a shit what you say, that's a big deal to me. Refer to Dads deserve fair chance, not long shot, at child custody
My Bulldogs made it to the second round of the playoffs this year, Go Bulldogs. The Horned Frogs and the Cowboys are both having fantastic years. Good football can cure a lot.
Kairos, something I would never have done in my old life, in my old ways. It has given me back so much more than I have given it.
The kids love it too, I'm grateful this is something we can do together.
For my family
And people who have become family. So I have two crappy days a year, that leaves three hundred and sixty three with the potential for greatness. So when you are celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow and you think of me (and you will because I'll be bored and will probably be texting you) just remember "it's just a bad day, not a bad life."
Happy Thanksgiving everyone