Let me honest, this holiday season has been one of a mixed bag. Where it is tradition that I go home and see my mom and the rest of my family for this Thanksgiving break I get from the office, this year I’m still here spending the time with my other family.

It has been a little bitter sweet because the truth is I am a Mama’s boy, no matter how old I am, and I miss her a lot. But the truth also is that I’m always able to speak to her and this year does seem fitting, for the most pat, that I spend the holiday here.

One thing I can say that all year long I have said that I’m thankful for the job, people and opportunities I’ve been given. It doesn’t take for this time of year to come around for me to give Thanks to God for the great things in my life. And even though there are some things that I’m truly unhappy about, I’m still thankful that I have the ability to be of clear mind and soul to feel and think about these things on my own.

I am so thankful that I have a wonderful partner to share and grow with in my life. I’m thankful that I have close friends who love and care for me. I’m thankful for the extended family that I’ve spent years growing and developing. For all the things I don’t know that have happened to keep me safe and all the things that I do know that God has brought me through.

If you really know that you are a person who has a lot to be thankful for, it shouldn’t take this week or tomorrow for you to tell those around you that you appreciate them, or that you show whatever deity you believe in that you’re grateful. I always say that we are a nation that doesn’t really hold strong to the family aspect of this great nation, because we are too busy working and dealing with the stresses of life.

So yes, while I do think that we need to do a better job of showing our thanks all year long, we most certainly need to take this time out and make sure anyone who means something to you knows that you love them, you appreciate them and that you are thankful to have them apart of your life, because they didn’t have to be there.