In lieu of thankful Thursday

Most Thursdays I post a list of things for which I am thankful. This week I am taking a break and doing something different...

When people ask me where I'm from my usual response is, "I'm from all over" or "no where." I go on to explain that my dad was in the Navy and I've moved around more than a lot of people, etc., etc., etc.,.

Sometimes it really bothers me that I can't plainly answer that question. Other times it just makes me realize I've had a lot of opportunities not everyone else has had. Tonight, however, my heart is aching because I am a NATIVE Californian and it pains me to see this state and its residents enduring so much tragedy.

California is where my grandparents met and married. It is where my great grandparents and my Grandma Caples are buried, along with other family members. It is where my mom and dad met in high school and got married. It is where I was born. It is where my brother was born. It is where Don and I met and got married. It is where my brother and sister-in-law met and got married. It is where two of my nephews were born. It is where I started elementary school and graduated college. It is where I first saw Mickey Mouse and Shamu. It is where I saw my first baseball game. It is where I've seen the biggest trees in the world. It is where I've eaten grapes off the vine. It is where I've had many holidays and spent many vacations. It is where I traveled for business. It is where Lindy became a United States citizen. It is where I have one set of grandparents, my brother, sister-in-law, and nephews, two uncles, one aunt, one cousin and his family, two great uncles and two great aunts, several second and third cousins, and several friends. It is a place of many memories for me and deep roots.

I hope you will join me in praying for all the people in California. They desperately need our prayers.

Thank you...