#1 God

I am thankful that I have a deity who guards my destiny. An Almighty protector who loves me so much that He came to Earth as a human, just so He could die and free me from my sins. A God of mercy who will never abandon me and rescues me from evil, including the evil inside myself. Someone who will passionately pursue my interest even when the world seems to pass me over as just another person. I have a God who created me in His Holy image and put me on Earth with a purpose. I never have to wonder for long what I’m supposed to be doing, God always comes around and nudges me back onto the right track; doing His will. These are things I can never be thankful for enough. It is the well from which all other blessings spring.

#2 Traditional Family

I am thankful that I have a mother and father, and that those two wonderful people are the same ones that sired and bore me. I never had to live through a divorce, or the confusion of two members of the same sex playing at mom and dad. I never had to watch as my parents coped with cheating or alcoholism, or drugs. I had a traditional family, even if dad did cook and mom had a job. There was never any doubt where the buck stopped, dad was the final authority. And you know what? the supposedly evil “patriarchy” works great, has for thousands of years. Stop trying to fix something that isn’t broken, maybe it needs tweaking in certain cases, but it’s not broken. Men are born to want to protect, women are born with nurturing instincts. It’s why girls want to play the domestic mother with their dolls and tea sets and boys want to be unleashed to put themselves at risk. To deny the way our brains are wired is to deny fact. To discourage “traditional” roles is to stunt the proper growth of a child. I am so blessed that while by daddy told me I could be anything, I was also told I couldn’t do everything. Which leads to #3.

#3 Not getting my way all the time

I am thankful for parents who said no and for being frustrated at times. I am happy to have been unhappy. Disappointment breeds reflection as you realize that you didn’t get what you wanted, and you know have to find the strength to move on from this disappointment. You look around and realize it is NOT the end of the world and then you straighten your shoulders and move on with life; learning from your mistakes and heartbreaks, and growing because of them. If I had been coddled and given consolation prizes for failures rather than motivated to move forward, I would have never done the things I have. The pride and sense of achievement in pulling your own self up by your bootstraps and sallying forth towards the horizon is one that doesn’t come to the indulged child who grows into the entitled adolescent and unsatisfied adult.

#4 Living in the South

I firmly hope I never have to leave Dixie. It’s not just the phenomenal food and beverage options, seriously, no one can top our sweet tea and fried chicken, and no one can outcook a southern matron when it comes to desserts. It’s not just the fantastic weather (if this is global warming, I can handle a few less polar bears for 70+ degree weather in November). It’s the people, the fact that even in cities there is a homey feel. Now maybe not certain parts of some cities, but by and large us southern folk look after each other and are ready to welcome most anyone with open arms and a plate of food. There is also a higher concentration of Bible-believing people and far more gentlemen in this neck of the woods than anywhere else I’ve ever been. Doors are still opened for women and we still address our elders and ma’am and sir. Manners are still struggling to hang on to life, but they’re surviving better south of the Mason-Dixon than elsewhere these days. We have gentle hospitality but we aggressively protect what is our own. The South is a proud bastion of freedom and old-fashioned common sense and traditional values, or as much of a bastion as is left in this crazy world.

#5 Being a woman

I am thankful for being a natural born, DNA proved, fearfully and wonderfully made woman. Don’t get me wrong womanhood has it’s ups and downs (one occurs pretty regularly). But it’s great not being confused about who I am and what I’m here for. God gives every person a purpose, but He also created men and women in unique ways with special gifts the others don’t possess. I’m glad I can cry at movies and giggle at next to nothing. I am blessed to be built to desire children and the happiness of those around me in a more individualistic way than the broad builder’s brain that men have. Nothing against men, if I met a guy who wasn’t goal-oriented I probably wouldn’t respect him as much. I love being comfortable in my own skin with who I am down to the strands of DNA that run through my body. I have this sex and I plan to make the best of it, and while it’s not perfect and I may inwardly pine for the prowess to play football, I have plenty about my own gender to be super thankful for. And I don’t smell bad like guys do, which is a major plus.

#6 Guns!

I love my guns… and all of my dad’s guns that he lets me borrow. I am so thankful for being a concealed carrier, it is a safer world because I, and others like me, have our guns. We practice and hone our skill to be of use to the society around us. We can defend ourselves and others if accosted. I don’t have to worry too much about being assaulted when I have a revolver tucked away and ready to be pulled out at a moment’s notice if stuff starts to go down. If the world goes crazy I can live out in the country and fell some wild game to survive (especially since Hunger Games made me mistrust berries) and there is the fact that it’s fun to shoot guns. Plain and simple, it’s a fun life skill to have. I firmly believe everyone should go through some sort of self-defense/firearm management class before leaving high school. So I appreciate that I still have the right to carry and live in a state that is so friendly towards gun ownership.

#7 Trump being elected.

I am very grateful to the Americans who spoke up and refused to elect a pro-death, back-stabbing, thieving, crooked harpy straight from Hades for the office of POTUS. Thank you America, for voting to Make America Great Again!