As I sit here on Thanksgiving morning I wanted to write about what I am thankful for. Many of you have heard me belly ache about all the things that I would miss by going on this deployment. So today I want to put a positive spin on being stuck in Afghnaistan for a holiday. Because right now it is pretty depressing.
The one thing that I am thankful for more than anything this year is "Family".
First of all my Wife. I have been blessed with such a beautiful woman both inside and out. I used to drive around as a teenager and we would pull up to a car or truck with a very attractive lady sitting next to an ugly guy that could only be their husband. We used to wonder how in the world did he land her. Then one day I realized that the yonger guys still did that when they would pull up to us at a traffic light, only now I am the ugly guy with the gorgeous wife. Carrie Thanks for so many wonderful years.
My sons. Colin I am so proud of you and your football team winning the State Championship for your division. I know they could not have done it without you. I am also thankful that you are considering going to HAC. Caleb, I am thankful that you have such a humorous spirit. You try to bring a smile to everyone's face andare always there to entertain us. I missed having you keep me awake as we drove from Biloxi to St Louis with your endless questions this year.
My Parents.
My Dad, he spent 2 tours in Vietnam and as I was leaving for Afghanistan I know he would have gladly done this tour too. Thanks for your service to our country dad. Thanks also for being patient with me through the years and all the times you have helped me out of a bind. Thanks for supporting me in all my efforts, even when they were some pretty poor decisions on my part.
Mom, my biggest cheerleader. Always believing in me and that I could do anything I set my mind to. Thanks for kicking me out of the car when I was 16 and putting in applications for jobs. Thanks for always being there for me and for all the long talks while I sat on the end of your bed. Thanks for all the prayers for me over the years.
Carrie's Parents
Mom & Dad too! Thanks for the use of your car while I was at Ft Riley, for all the gummis, excedrin and jerky! Thanks for having such a wonderful daughter! The Character she has is very obvious to see that it came from each of you. Thanks for all the long trips to Biloxi for so many Thanksgivings. I would gladly have made the trip to St Louis this year.
Amy & Billy, My big sister and her husband, Thanks sis for being there and taking some whippings along the way for me. I am thankful for you and Billy being able to take care of mom and dad while I galavant around the country in the military and now the world. Thanks Billy for taking care of my sister and making her happy all these years.
Jason & Tristina, My little brother and his new bride. J, thanks for looking up to me. Although I don't know why after some of the stunts I pulled on you. Thanks for being a true Dolphins fan even in an 0-10 year. Tristina thanks for joining the family, we are a litlle crazy but as my oldest son likes to say. WHen you mess with one Tabor you mess with them all! and now you are a Tabor and get that same protection.
Danah & Derrick. My niece and her husband. Thanks Danah for making me a great, "Great Uncle" and for choosing to name him Ronnie Ray. Well, at least thanks for making me a Great Uncle, no pressure on the other. Thanks for all the pokes in the ribs over the years. I can still feel the pain even as I write this. Derrick thanks for taking care of Danah and thanks for your service in Iraq.
Kenny & Margie, thanks for everything. You both have been awesome in your support since I have deployed. The things you have done are way too numerous to mention. Thanks for reminding me everyday that I am not forgotten.
Phyllis and her family! Phyllis I hope your birthday was great and once again thanks for the awesome family you have and for making me a part of it.
Andrew and Stacie, thanks for being there for Carrie while I have been gone. It was a great relief to know that you would be able to stay at the house while I was gone. I can' wait to see you guys when I get back.
RADSYM FAMILY
Carolyn Teal, Lynnette Biglane, Venton Horrice. I don't go to sleep at night without being thankful for the memory foam mattress you sent. Thanks for the great seminars we have had over the years and hopefully a few more. Thanks for all the x-ray stuff and hygiene kits.
Military Family
Steve Triggs thanks for all the Sports Illustrated mags, and the gift cards for Carrie and the boys. Scott Sherwood, thanks for the Sporting News Mags and keeping in touch. Macdill was so many years ago but with both you and Steve it seems like yesterday. Rickie Ragan thanks for the chairs Rickie. We have already worn out 2 of them. Chief North, thanks for the heads up on the Zembrod. I could not have done it without your support and writing skills! Patrick Gillespie, a fellow Army Tenessean that has become a great friend while deployed.
B-Hut 311. Capt Brosdahl, Capt Payette, MSgt Finch and SSgt Paule. It has been a great deployment living in the same 20 x 30 foot cell, I mean hut with you guys. You have been there through the good the bad and the ugly. Hopefully we wont have to huddle in a bunker again before we get out of here! I am thankful that I have you as family while here in Afghanistan at Camp Lightning.
The "Fun Bunch" in Tampa. Thanks for the quilts and honoring us at your Quilt-a-Thon. All the hours you have invested just to say thanks for our service did not go unnoticed.
I am truly thankful for everyone that has been a part of my life. Life is all about relationships. Without them we would beome very bitter and lonely people. So if you read this and get a chance post a comment and tell the world what you are thankful for this year!
12 comments:
We thank you Ron for being there so that we can be here celebrating with our families! It's amazing what we take for granted and only realize when we don't have it how much we miss the simple things in life. Congratulations on the Zembrod..there is no doubt that you deserved this above all others. Remember your Radsym crew and try to answer your email once in a while!!! LOL
Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving and remember that you are always in our prayers. And one more thing....be watching because I believe Santa is on the way....... Carol
I wanted to say thank you. Your kind words mean more than you know. HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!
Tristina
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksigiving feast, Ron...you have quite a lot to be thankful for.
Congratulations on your Zembrod win, it's truly well-deserved!
Jan
Ron I think you wanted to make everyone cry guess what it worked. We love you and appreciate all you do you and Jason have picked great wifes there wonderful and are more like sisters then sister-in-laws after all Dad broke the mold when I came along. Have a good Thanksgiving and I so wish you were here instead of there, but thanks. Hope the tree brings back some memories. Your Big Sister
r
Ron, I am so thankful for you and all my family. We love being here with the boys, Carrie and her Mom and Dad. Their whole family is great and have been so wonderful to you. I am very thankful for all that Amy and Billy do. They have given up a lot to care for us.I am very thankful for Jason and his wonderful wife. She is like a daughter to me. It is wonderful to see how much Jason loves her. To Dad I am very thankful he gave me a wonderful family. He takes wonderful care of me. He is so faithful to get packages to you. He hates to let anyone know he is thoughtful. We are so thankful that introduced us to Joan and Howard. They are like family. All our friends back here.I cannot forget Linda Harfer and Brenda and Rosey they are always there for me. Have a wonderful day.
Wish you were her. You will be in each of our hearts as we eat. Miss you and love you so much. Love Mom
Ron I wrote you but hit anonymous. It never did show up. I wrote a letter. Congratulations on your award. You deserve it. You do a great job. Love and kisses
Hey Uncle Ronnie
Thanks for that. I am Thankful for having you as a Uncle. No the baby name will be if it is a boy Michael Ray Caudle. Nice try. Well talk to you later.
Love You, Danah
Hey, I just wanted to drop in and say thank you, for what you are doing right now, and for all you have done in the past. I have been praying for you and Carrie daily. God bless.
Love you son, we will be so happy when you get here. Carrie will fly into Nashville and she and I will ride together. Dad will drive your truck. The boys were so excited taking to you. We loved getting to see you. It has been a long time. Your voice comes in so much better on carries computer. It may have just been a good connection. Hugs and kisses from your loving mother.
Hey Babe, Thanks for being my best friend, husband, and father to our boys. The boys and I miss you. I appreciate and respect your service to our country. You make me proud! So happy you won the Zembrod. You shine wherever you are.
I am thankful for our families and am enjoying being with them for Thanksgiving...just wishing you were here.
I am grateful for the support and prayers we have received from so many - family and friends - during this deployment. Thanks so much to you all!!! It really matters!
Ron, you are the man of my dreams! Can't wait to be reunited. In the meantime, you have my love and prayers....Carrie
NO! Thanks goes to you and all your fellow soldiers so far from home on this Thanksgiving weekend! On, behalf of all the Mirabay Fun Bunch you all make us PROUD!!
Keep looking out for those quilts and give them out as you see fit I know you will know who could use them the most....
Latanya
Hey Ron,
I first want to say thanks for all that you are doing for all of us. Being over there is a great sacrifice and I want you to know that I appreciate all that everyone is doing for us over there. Second, I am thankful for having a friend like you. You are the sunshine that brightens every day, even when it is raining. You don't realize this, but I have learned a lot from you just watching the way you interact with people and how you make them feel. I know the Lord sent you because a lot of the troops need that overthere. Third, I am thankful for all of my family and the love we have for each other.
Take care and remember we love you.
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