It's Thanksgiving Morning

Wayne, Kimberli, Paul, Tasha, Lola, Jeff, Andrew, Michelle, Richard, Sarah, Alyce, Ben, Ann, Jeremy, Sarah, Cory, Anna, Davis, Noah, Logan, Peter, Caroline, Shane, Patrick, Bryan, Clayton, Jacob, Aaron, Nick, Penelope, Axel, Charlie, Johnny, Junormis (who will arrive in February).

My kids and their kids. That's 34 people I love very much and am thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day 2009.

Other people and/or things I'd like to mention:

1. My aunt Allie. I have loved her and looked to her all my life as an example of beauty, class, accomplishment, courage. And she has a glorious voice.
2. My brothers and sisters. I love them, too, and we're all still here. I'm thankful for that.
3. My parents, because they were so good and without equal. Never two others like Wilford and Lola.
   
4. The Macy's parade. I have turned it off again this year because it is now rendered much less a parade than a long boring commercial for the programs on the network that is telecasting it, like NBC or CBS. "Oh look, it's . . . whoever, star of whatever. What a surprise." Yeah, right. I remember watching the Rose Parade every New Year's Day. It seemed pretty simple: turn it on, watch the floats and horses and marching bands and do some ooh and oh and ah-ing. Okay, I'll say it. Those were the days. Not that I wish them back again. No.
   
5. Pumpkin pies. Yes, we know. But this year Alyce has made her first, including the pie crust, and I'm sure it will be good. And Jeremy made pumpkin pie with their very own pumpkin.
   
6. Tomorrow, I'll make one--Libby's pumpkin, of course--and think of Wayne, his pies, and his annual experiment with various spices. Always turned out good and got eaten up.
7. I am healthy, have a good home, have kind generous neighbors, own a car I like to drive, have a few good friends, live in a good ward and enjoy the association there with good people, have freedom to do as I wish--with very few limits--am not wanting.
8. The gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm thankful for it, for him.