We are coming upon another Thanksgiving Day with all the trimmings and I have a great deal to be thankful for. Most of all I am thankful for my Christian roots and the family members who forced me to go to church and introduced Jesus Christ to me. My life is inestimably better today and for eternity because of my salvation.
Second, I am thankful for 47 years of marriage to Karen Judy Mayer Sweeten. We have shared both good and bad together since the day we were married on November 21, 1961. I had been praying for a Christian wife, actually a Baptist wife, for several years and the Lord brought me into contact with Karen again in May of 1961. On May 6 she went with me and a bus load of kids from the Ina School to St. Louis Zoo. I was the bus driver because I could earn another $900.00 annually to add to the $3000.00 I made for teaching and coaching Fifth and Sixth Grades, all subjects. (An almost 1/3 increase in salary for driving the bus! What a deal.)
Six months later Karen and I were married at the First Baptist Church in Pinckneville, Illinois by Rev. Maurice Swinford. All my kids from school attended. We have weathered many storms since then but each of us is thankful for our life together.
I am especially thankful for coming from poverty. because of our background, Karen and I are like St. Paul who noted that he had learned to be content in all kinds of circumstances. We have been close to food stamps and we have been able to live well. The secret to contentment is knowing a loving God and a loving family. Now that the economy has dropped and it may be awhile before it returns to its bullish nature, Karen and I are content with the wonderful lives we enjoy.
I returned from ten days in Russia a few weeks ago and it is good to be back. The comparison between the USA and Russia are many. The primary difference is that the USA has a long tradition of opportunity and innovation. Our Capitalist system allows us to try new things, borrow money and take risks with many rewards. The Socialist traditions of Russia tend to emphasize a top down system of rules and regulations enforced by a government that the people cannot trust.
We in the USA are fortunate. We are blessed. I am thankful.
4 comments:
It pleases itself me, as you look two together. Past time there was the pink color, now blue. What following? :-)
I hope to add more colors to the palete of sweaters and shirts we wear. I am very happy my readers pay so much attention to what Karen and I wear.
Gary, color for me is very important, I’m “hookedOnColors”. :-D Here in Russia there is no deficiency in the risks, perhaps. - It is more complex about the reward. Yevgeny A. Moscow
Yevgeny, I am hooked on getting remarks and comments from friends who tell me what they like. Maybe Karen and I need to have alot of photos taken in different colored sweaters, shirts and so forth.
I was looking through some of my pictures of past trips to russia and noticed how manyh different colored sweaters I had. I love bright colors and hope I will get some bright new sweaters and shirts for Christmas.
Maybe my family is reading this.
The sweater the team gave me this years is warm, pretty and very comfortable. Thanks so much for your generous spirits.
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