Today was a trying day for me.  Nothing seriously wrong; just busy with life and sometimes things don’t go as we plan.  As I sat in my car at a stop light on my way home, I was aggravated, frustrated, and exhausted from some of the day’s events.  My mind was swirling around what happened in the past instead of looking forward to what waited in my future…. my husband and wonderful children to hug me when I arrived home!
I’m not sure what caused me to glance at the car to my left.  However, it only took a few moments for me to be humbled and reminded that my day was not nearly that bad.  The woman in the car to my left sat motionless, both hands on the wheel; arms fully extended.  She wore a wedding ring on her left ring finger and down her face poured a river of tears.  A child, close to 3, sat sleeping in a car seat in back.  I found myself wondering what had happened to her.  I thought; “now, she had a bad day!” As the light turned green and she pulled away I realized that she may have been having more than a bad day.  On the bumper of her car, pasted to the right of her license plate, was a magnet with the following words; “Half of My Heart is in Iraq.” 
My heart sank for her as I thought about Thanksgiving and her 3 year old son sleeping in back.  I wondered how long her husband had been away and if he would be home for Christmas.  Most importantly, I instantly forgot about whatever it was that had been so upsetting in my day.  And, when I got home, I hugged everyone very tightly.
There are many things to be thankful for every day; sometimes we are just looking too hard!  I am thankful for my family and that we are together for Thanksgiving.  I am also thankful for the woman in the red Subaru and her family.  I hope they are not separated for much longer!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!