Happy...Thanks...Giving...

Those three words do not always come in the same sentence. They are not always a part of everyone's vocabulary. They are not always the reality for many. In today's world and state of shit, it can be quite hard, hell, even flat out impossible to find such amazing qualities in life and especially all three together. This is a time of year that we tend to try, or at the very least, use them in the same greeting to others, whether we truly mean it, own it or are looking for it or not. It is these three words that I tend to associate with constantly. Some more than others. Happy...we all want to be happy don't we? We all try. Some have better luck than others. Some are not able to by way of chemical imbalance, some are full of it, some struggle with it and some have it then lose it as things change and loved ones come in and then suddenly out of our lives. I have always been blessed with happiness. I am fortunate. I am lucky. I am a pretty happy person. Most of the time. That is one hell of another story but I will spare the drama. Thanks...many of us are thankful for what we have in our lives. Many show it daily to those around us and those we love and hold dear. Some seem like the whole world owes them and thus are not thankful, but selfish and ignorant. Others take everything for granted. They take and never give. I have pretty much always been very thankful for what I have, although up until my becoming of a mid teen and then later my mother passing away, I was spoiled and didn't always see the true core of being thankful. After she left, I realized how important it is to be thankful. I am thankful for many, many things...my health, my two amazing boys who I love very much, my time spent with family, albeit not nearly enough, my career and my job and to those around me who have supported me throughout my life! I am also very thankful and blessed that I am happy most of the time and that I am able to Give... give of myself, give to my sons, give to those I love and to those that I do not even know. Thank you mom...for always teaching me and continually setting a great and powerful example of what it means to do so. Giving is such a powerful and meaningful gift in itself. Being able to give without expecting something in return or trying to further oneself as a reason or justification to do so is special and incredible. I have a big heart, which is probably why I was so drawn to this business and continue to be so passionate about my cooking and career. As I shared this thought with my oldest son, it made me stop and think about how important it is to give and to pass along those traits to those younger than I...to those whom we love, whom we work with, whom are not seeing the bigger picture and whom we are raising as our own. So, it is on this day, and every day that I say to you all...be happy, be grateful and thankful, be giving of yourself to others...you will be amazed at how it makes you feel. This is a tribute and dedication to all...from the kindest of folk to the most selfish of souls to the blindest young to the old and cranky to my late mother and father to those better than I!