Post-Deployment Thanksgiving

Citizen-soldiers often report coming home with fresh perspectives and clear-eyed priorities. They might, for example, appreciate the stuff that other citizens of these United States (or developed countries, more generally) take for granted. Churches and shopping malls never looked so good.

They might lump everything into one of two categories. Things are either "A potential threat to life, limb, or eyesight" or "Not important in the big scheme of things."

The trouble is, daily routine and distraction can chip away at that blissful post-deployment Nirvana. The indiscretions, inconveniences, and even the unthinkable bits of war fade in memory, but so does the good stuff. Unless you keep reminding yourself.

Offered on this (U.S.) Thanksgiving Day, here's an attempt to recapture some of my personal post-deployment clarity, delivered in machine-gun bullet-form:

• I am thankful for my family. Everything else can go to Heck.

• I am thankful for my daily bread and potable tap water.

• I am thankful for clean latrines and flushing toilets.

• I am thankful for close friends and Close Air Support.

• I am thankful for building codes and cement sidewalks.

• I am thankful for clear skies and secure perimeters.

• I am thankful for the gift, the freedom, the rights and the responsibilities of speech.

• I am thankful for those who serve in uniform, those who have served, and those who will serve.

• I am thankful for plenty, and for my newly acquired awareness of scarcity in the world.

• I am blessed. You are, too.