The American Spectator

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(Page 3 of 10)

p> HAPPY THANKSGIVING br> Re: Ben Stein's Gratitude Is Wealth : /p>

"Gratitude for what you have right now. Gratitude especially for what you have now that so many people would die for, gratitude for what you have now that won't last. That's what makes you rich quick. And no tax at all. That's the secret. As to the money... Stop thinking about it for this morning and just tell your wife you love her."

Ain't it the truth!

"I finished with some pitiful iron shots and went into the clubhouse. The halls were empty. The average age of the members at this club is 72 and many are older. How many men and women walk along these halls every day, I thought, with memories of long-time wives or husbands who are now on the other side? How many of them walk down this hall and then go home alone to a solitary meal and an afternoon and night of watching TV alone, with only memories of when they had a wife or husband or kids that watched TV with them?"

I was 28, my husband had been deployed to Panama back in August. I buried him in March. I existed, like the older members of that golf club, not fully alive and not quite dead, almost numb to the world about me, memories to comfort me. We did not have a LONG marriage, barely 5 years and 10 months and no children living. I was supposed to be undergoing testing why I kept having miscarriages at the 2-month point. Not attending to paperwork related to my husband's death. We were going to take leave and travel together to see family and spend some alone time. I saw family, all of them, and I was spending time alone with Him.

Speed up life, it's nearly 20 years later. I have "children of my heart" that I fuss and worry over, two dogs that adore me and cannot bear to be separated from me and a husband that I think "hung the moon" and he believes I "hung the stars."

p>Life is good, and my heart over flows with gratitude for each day, each moment, each "I love you." I am twice blest beyond imagination, and my soul rejoices. No riches on this Earth can compare to all 6 of us in one room at one time together -- it was easier when the kids were small and we had only one dog to all fit on the same couch. I richer than my dreams. Bill Gates and John Kerry can have the large houses and their entourages, I'm richer! br> -- Sandra Dent /p>

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