Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Thankful

There are a lot of homeless in the Hoboken train station.  It's not an uncommon sight.  But tonight it's particularly tough to see it because I'm on my way home to a lamb dinner tonight, and the warm embrace of a loving family and turkey dinner tomorrow.

What separates me from them?  Is it because I've worked my tail off?  I have, but I've also had a huge head start in life, being gifted with above-average intelligence and growing up in a good school system in one of the wealthiest states in one of the wealthiest countries of the world, in an environment free from drugs or crime, to healthy and loving parents who, in turn, also worked their tails off.

Very few of us are self-made.  What separates me from those destined to sleep tonight in the Hoboken train station is not hard work or determination, but mostly the roll of the dice.  For that, I am thankful.  Very, very thankful.