POLITICS AND NATURE

Here is to the joy that begins the 2007 holiday season tomorrow. What a wonderful, exciting, and happy time it can be. My family history goes back to the original T-day as my great ancestor, along with many thousands of others I'm sure, includes Governor William Bradford. Reflecting on the past and the future it is easy to come up with a full article containing the many things I am thankful for.

Concerning this website, I am thankful to live in such a wonderful nation in which the people are gaining everyday in environmental knowledge. Nature and Politics, while not being the most commercially successful venture I have gotten involved in (in fact, its not turned out to be fiscally viable as of this point but who knows what will happen), has provided me with a great outlet regarding my ideas about two things I find very valuable in America today.

I feel thankful for all of you who have read the journal and even the few of you that have chosen to comment in one way or another (Billy, Travis, Dad, Ellen Jo, Mark, and Leen...er...Moose). I appreciate the suggestions received and the overall positive input many of you have given me. Thank you. I think we live in one of the greatest nations in history and I am thankful that we can communicate about those things that matter to us and that we have freedom. Freedom to make ridiculous yet intelligent statements that some probably find outrageous and to have fun doing it.

I am thankful for all the people that have been close friends and family over the years of life. Some I haven't seen in long periods of time but I still feel familiarity and friendship that is powerful and lasting.

I suppose I am most thankful for a large and loving family. Central to this were both my grandmothers who passed away from their earthly forms in the past few months.

Grandma Bostock (Berneice Bostock-Taylor) was the most positive person anyone could hope to meet. She brought out the best in people. From her, I learned to Love God and people, to look for the bright, shining parts that showed through each and every one's souls, to be thoughtful and kind, not to be judgmental, and to seek happiness and joy, living each day to the fullest and to appreciate each moment we are blessed to be here. She taught me about respect for nature as a child visiting the mountains of upstate New York. A minister's wife who spent her time as a teacher, bringing children up with care and kindness. Her simple and intelligent pleasure at life was contagious and lasting.

Grandma Ruth (Ruth Smith-Childe) was stable and stern for many years of growing up. Yet she always showed me her bright side. She learned about life as a single mother who eventually was survived by her daughter, my mom, Nancy, 7 grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren (17 total), and 1 great-great grandchild, Olivia, who is the daughter of my oldest niece, a wonderful and beautiful woman named Jessica, born just before grandma died. A single woman for most of her life, Grandma Ruth, or Woofie, married the love of her life when she was in her eighties and she lived ten wonderful years with John Childe, a man who became a father to my mother, and a grandfather to myself, my siblings, and my in-laws. She was a painter and a golfer who loved to play cards, was active in her community, and who did crossword puzzles for fun. She liked football and was an intelligent saver and investor. She worked in the corporate world at a time when women did not do that sort of thing. And she was successful at it.

I could go on about each of these amazing women at length but suffice it to say that they will always be loved and respected and they made a great deal of difference in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!