“One day a rich father took his young son on a trip to the country in hopes of showing him how the poor people live. They spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When they got back from their trip the father asked his son,

"How was the trip?"

"Great, Dad!"

"Did you see how poor other people can be?" the father asked.

"Yeah!"

“And what did you learn?” asked the father.

The son answered, “I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the gar

den, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon.”

As the little boy continued with his description of what he saw his father stood speechless. And as the son stopped talking, he quickly added one more thing,

“Oh by the way, thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!””

I don’t know how many of you have heard that story in the past but it still rings true in my own life. Not so much the rich part but just my perception. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the intricacies of daily living that I forget the focus. Because the market falls I miss the fact that I am in an industry I love. Because the politicians don’t behave the way I think they should I forget that I am blessed to be in a free country and the best country in the whole world! Because I get to the house late I miss the fact that I have a warm home to go to and a beautiful wife there. The list could go on and on.

I am well aware of the ch

allenges that are facing us, our generation, our industry but they are not looming threats but only awaiting opportunities.  Opportunities that wait to meet those that will rise to the occasion. I am truly thankful to live in this time, this place and to be involved in this organization.

If you are thankful like me I encourage everyone to Give Thanks at http://tinyurl.com/thankfarmer.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!