On Sunday morning, our pastor asked us to express thanks for all the things God has given us. Among those who spoke up was my son, who gave thanks for living in a free country where he could go to church.

I didn’t prompt him or coach him to say that. No one did. I always get the parental nervousness when he raises his hand to speak up in church — “What’s he gonna say?” runs skittishly through my mind. He surprised me more than anyone. I’m thankful to have him as my son and to see that he’s learning, and understanding.

I am thankful for my wife who stands by me and loves me no matter what. I am thankful for my family and for my friends.

I am thankful for my job and for my friends here at Hot Air. I am thankful for my brother and sister in arms, Allah and Michelle.

I am thankful to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who volunteered for the fight and put their lives on the line every day to preserve freedom for their children, our children and for generations to come.

I am thankful for silly things like the music of U2 and deeper things like life and health and freedom. I am thankful for football and pecan pie and sushi and for having had the chances and the freedoms to pursue dreams, even when they’ve ended in failure. I’m actually thankful for failure (once it’s sufficiently behind me). I don’t like it, but it’s a good teacher.

Most of all, I am thankful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.