This being the first year in many that my larger family didn’t get together for Thanksgiving, I called each of my siblings on that day.

Each asked how I was doing.

To each I replied, “I’ve never been better.”

And that’s the truth. This is the best things have ever been spiritually, emotionally and professionally. Financially it’s OK at best, but the longer I’m around the less important that becomes.

So why are things the best they’ve ever been? Well, the name of the holiday is Thanksgiving, so let’s take a moment to give thanks.

I’m grateful for my wife, Renee, and my former wife, Julie.

During her final months battling pancreatic cancer, Julie showed me grace and gratitude beyond what I though was possible. My brother, Dennis, still gets choked up when he talks about her note to him and what that has meant in his life.

Renee found me broken not long after Julie’s death. I didn’t act broken, but there were voids that I didn’t know how to fill. Renee has nurtured the best in me and I can say with all honesty that she makes me a better person. I can think of no greater compliment for a spouse.

I am grateful for my stepson Jared, who is autistic. Jared sees the world differently than I do. I have tried to see the world through his eyes and, in so doing, my world has greatly expanded. I have already learned more from Jared than he will ever learn from me.

I am grateful for the people of Teller County.

After my column about my dog, Joey, getting injured, Courier reader Anne Ryals wrote me an email recommending Cosequin DS. Joey still limps slightly when he’s been laying down for a while, but once he loosens up he’s running, jumping and putting equal weight on the injured leg. And the medicine cost $30 instead of $4,000.

Other readers gave me valuable advice concerning Joey and recommended other vets. I thank them all.

After my most recent column where I mentioned my mother’s pies, another reader, Rick Weaver, shared a pumpkin pie recipe that we can’t wait to try out.

The kindness of the residents here can’t be overstated.

I’m also grateful for the critical readers. When my values are challenged, I reflect, review and revise. Often my values are strengthened by those challenges. Other times, my values are adjusted after assimilating the new information. Both are good things.

I’m grateful for our public servants. Journalists, law enforcement and politicians have an unspoken kinship in that we are far more frequently criticized than praised. We all say we have thick skin and can take it, but that’s largely because we want to encourage the feedback. The criticism still hurts us. We just try not to let it show.

The public servants throughout Teller County are impressive people. I have been around long enough to know that these folks truly care about their respective communities. Of course not everyone will agree with the decisions they make. That’s not only natural — it’s healthy.

There’s so much more for which to be thankful: family, friends and this amazing country in which we live among them. I know this is the second straight column about gratitude and I promise I’ll move on to something else next week. There’s just so much for which to be grateful.

And I’m thankful for that, too.

This being the first year in many that my larger family didn’t get together for Thanksgiving, I called each of my siblings on that day.

Each asked how I was doing. To each I replied, “I’ve never been better.”

And that’s the truth. This is the best things have ever been spiritually, emotionally and professionally. Financially it’s OK at best, but the longer I’m around the less important that becomes.

So why are things the best they’ve ever been? Well, the name of the holiday is Thanksgiving, so let’s take a moment to give thanks.

I’m grateful for my wife, Renee, and my former wife, Julie. During her final months battling pancreatic cancer, Julie showed me grace and gratitude beyond what I though was possible. My brother, Dennis, still gets choked up when he talks about her note to him and what that has meant in his life.

Renee found me broken not long after Julie’s death. I didn’t act broken, but there were voids that I didn’t know how to fill. Renee has nurtured the best in me and I can say with all honesty that she makes me a better person. I can think of no greater compliment for a spouse.

I am grateful for my stepson Jared, who is autistic. Jared sees the world differently than I do. I have tried to see the world through his eyes and, in so doing, my world has greatly expanded. I have already learned more from Jared than he will ever learn from me.

I am grateful for the people I’ve met this year.

After my column about my dog, Joey, getting injured, a reader wrote me an email recommending Cosequin DS. Joey still limps slightly when he’s been laying down for a while, but once he loosens up he’s running, jumping and putting equal weight on the injured leg. And the medicine cost $30 instead of $4,000.

Other readers gave me valuable advice concerning Joey and recommended other vets. I thank them all.

After my most recent column where I mentioned my mother’s pies, another reader shared a pumpkin pie recipe that we can’t wait to try out.

The kindness of the residents here can’t be overstated.

I’m also grateful for the critical readers. When my values are challenged, I reflect, review and revise. Often my values are strengthened by those challenges. Other times, my values are adjusted after assimilating the new information. Both are good things.

I’m grateful for our public servants. Journalists, law enforcement and politicians have an unspoken kinship in that we are far more frequently criticized than praised. We all say we have thick skin and can take it, but that’s largely because we want to encourage the feedback. The criticism still hurts us. We just try not to let it show.

The public servants throughout the Tri-Lakes region are impressive people. I have been around long enough to know that these folks truly care about their respective communities. Of course not everyone will agree with the decisions they make. That’s not only natural — it’s healthy.

There’s so much more for which to be thankful: family, friends and this amazing country in which we live among them. I know this is the second straight column about gratitude and I promise I’ll move on to something else next week. There’s just so much for which to be grateful.

And I’m thankful for that, too.