Martha Ann was born in 1934 and passed away in 1998 after having multiple strokes - that was ten years ago today.

She was the daughter of Lucille, a fine woman in her own right, and the oldest of 6 girls.  She was the mother of three girls and two boys.  She was the grandmother of 9, one of which she never knew.

Her versatility as an all-around human being has been un-matched in my lifetime.  She could meet someone and literally spend hours talking and laughing with them as if she knew them her entire life.  She loved children - she worked as a teachers aid for many years - one reason she started this job was to be close to her youngest son when he started going to school all day.

She had class coming out of her pores without ever acting as though she was above anyone.  Nobody was unworthy of a smile and conversation.

She was an excellent cook all around, but she made the best dinner rolls in the world.  This, according to anyone who had the pleasure of tasting them.

Martha Ann was the glue that held her family together.  Not just in life, but her loving influence holds her family together ten years after her death.  She was the rock, a best friend and someone people loved to sit around and talk to.

Martha Ann was my mother and I miss her today like I did ten years ago.

Some days it is best to give thanks, a way to give a verbal testimony about the good things in your life. We all know we hear about the bad things in the world as well as the troubles of our friends and family - sometimes we are the ones talking about the bad things.

In all things, we should give thanks.  It is just that simple.  I would like to hear from you and what you have to give thanks for.  It isn’t about what you need, but about what you already have.

I will speak first.

In the other room I have a healthy wife and little girl.  For the first time, I have a family (I’m not discounting my wife, but now there are three of us).  What an emotional couple of days this has been.  I miss my mother and wish she could have been here to share in this time, but two of my sisters were here and I know if not for distance my other sister and brother would have been here.  I’m thankful for them as well.

I will speak for O - he writes the great sports articles that seem to go un-noticed.  He lives in Texas and he is enjoying a new addition to his family as well.  His wife recently had a little boy and as far as I know everyone is doing well.

Now it is your turn.