Thanks!

On this day I would like to thank:

God. He gives me peace when I need it most. He gives me a center in world that pulls and pushes. He gives me strength.

My parents. Besides giving me life, they gave me purpose. They laid the foundation and let me build my life. They comforted when I failed and praised when I succeeded. When I was a child they were parents, not friends, and now that I am a parent, they are my friends. Their pride in me is only a tenth of the pride I have in them. They fed me, both in food and in spirit. They gave me direction and then let me find my own way.

My friends. They choose to be with me and can walk away, any time, yet they do not. They laugh with me when it's funny. They cry with me in kind. They support me as I support them. They know I'm there when they need me and I know they are there for me.

My Nation. 13,000 strong, the Arapahoe Nation is an awesome force. There's nothing more special than our dads, giving their time to their children and the children giving time to their dads. In a world pulling families apart, our dads do what's needed for their kids and everyone will benefit in the long run. As the old saying goes "On their death bed, no one wishes they could have spent more time at work." And I can't forget to thank the awesomeness that is Matt, Bobby, Meredith, Renee and Andrew - without them, well, I can't even imagine YGP without them.

My kids. They are precious in every way. Since their births, they have held a special place in my heart. Every day they say or do something that makes my heart swell larger and larger until I think it will burst. I am proud to be their father - and I always will.

My wife. I have loved her since 9th grade and love her more now than I ever have. Each day she amazes me with her smile, her laugh and love back for me. When I am at my worst, she's there for me. When I'm having a bad day, she's there for me. She's my mirror and reflects back to me my moods. When I am happy, she is happy. When I am sad, she is sad with me. She's not my better half, she's my better 90%. She makes me a better man, a better father and a better person. With her by my side I feel superhuman and that there's no way I can fail. She can make me smile at the slightest thought of her. My life is so much richer for having her in my life. I could not imagine a world without her. And it is her that I am most thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

How-How!