For a number of years I was all but deprived of the holiday. I worked in a dispatch center for a trucking company and unfortunately they delivered to Canada. Not only do Canadians have funny looking currency, they celebrate Thanksgiving on the wrong day. While America pigged out and watched football, I was doing my part to keep Canadian industry working.

Too bad the War of 1812 didn’t turn out differently.

Thanksgiving among the Wigdersons has always been a special time. My family is remarkably incapable of small talk. This makes the eating and the football free of interruption, save the noise of the electric carving knife and the occasional, "Could you please pass ... "

Of course, the most important reason for the holiday is to give thanks to God for all that he has given us, and part of the Wigderson tradition is to mention a few items before the turkey hits the table.

This year the list might seem especially short. After all, the elections certainly did not go the way I hoped. The stock market is sinking, dragging everyone’s retirements with it. Worst of all, I just turned 40.

But I think we all have much to be grateful for.

I am grateful I am not Fred Louis Ervin of Raleigh, N.C. According to the Associated Press, Ervin is alleged to have robbed a gas station and then attempted a car jacking. While struggling with the car’s owner, a good Samaritan intervened with a well-aimed blow to the head with a frozen turkey. Ervin has been hospitalized with a head injury and is due in court Dec. 30. Thanksgiving is never going to have the same meaning for Ervin again.

Ervin should be grateful it wasn’t a holiday fruitcake.

I’m grateful I am not eating Thanksgiving with the New York Times editorial board. Alaskan Gov. Sarah Palin recently did the Thanksgiving photo opportunity of pardoning the Thanksgiving turkey at a turkey farm. While the press was interviewing her on camera, the turkey farmer processed a couple of turkeys in the background.

The squeamish New York Times editorial board actually complained about Palin’s interview, calling the slaughter of the turkeys an "execution" and "carnage." What do they eat for Thanksgiving? Tofu?

I am grateful that Sen. Barack Obama trampled on "campaign finance reform" by raising and spending more money for the office of president than anyone ever has before. I am grateful that he did it after he promised he would abide by campaign spending limits.

I am grateful that I live in a country where an African American can become president. Someday, Arizona residents can look forward to being eligible, too.

I am grateful that so far Obama has not found a position for Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. I am grateful the state is not in the hands of Acting Governor Barbara Lawton. So are the Democrats.

I am grateful I live in a state where only three government agencies told the governor they couldn’t make any cuts. That means the rest of the budget is fair game, right?

I am grateful for the ridges that let me know I am eating real canned cranberry sauce.

I am grateful for living in a city and a county that are holding the line on taxes next year. When we can expect the state to send taxes through the roof, we do not need local governments to follow suit.

I am grateful I do not live east of 124th Street.

I am grateful for the readers of The Freeman, including those who have sent me comments about what they like and dislike in my columns.

I am even grateful for politicians who start conversations, "I have a bone to pick with you."