Thanksgiving Thoughts

It is the time of year when many of us stop to reflect on what we are grateful for.

Every day I am so grateful for what I have, I don’t need just one day of the year for thanks. But it is such a pleasure on this one day to sit around the table with family and friends, and hear what each person is thankful for.

When my family and I were escaping from Viet Nam, sneaking away at night, onboard the overcrowded fishing boat, waiting in a refugee camp, and trying to figure out how to make it in our new country, survival was uppermost on our minds. We were just looking one step ahead, figuring out what had to be done and doing it, and not able to think beyond that.

But then we survived, and started to thrive and found that we were living a good life. And at that point, knowing how blessed we were and are, it became time to give back.

When you have been through the worst you can imagine and come out the other side, you want to pass along to others the knowledge and the strength that helped you and can help others. This is why I am so happy to be sharing my father’s wisdom and my experiences with you in my writings, my talks, and my book.

Now our children are grown and they stand on their own merits. America gave them many opportunities and they utilized them to become good and productive citizens.

I am grateful for my family, this country, and the opportunity to make a difference.

I want the life I live to be an expression of gratitude for all we have received and been blessed with. My family and I live a life that is rich and full. Every day I think of the goodness of my life and what it took to get here. My heart is filled with gratitude.

This is the time for me to say Happy Thanksgiving, and I am so grateful for all of you, my friends.