Blame the tryptophan from eating too much turkey or blame it on getting older, but I fear I'm becoming soft.

Not just soft in the middle, which afflicts most of us approaching 40, but softer in spirit and thoughts.

When combined with the mental impact that accompanies the holiday season, I start to feel like a warm blanket over the shoulders when there is a snow storm outside.

So it goes without saying this week is monumental in my life, but it's for a multitude of reasons, three of which come to the front of my mind faster than the nap that came over last Thursday.

Obviously, the first significant event was Thursday, and while there are stacks of problems facing us as a nation, I couldn't be more content if I tried.

I don't know why, but for some reason, I just know despite the economy and job losses, lack of savings and loss in my kids' college savings account, things are going to be just fine. They are always fine. In fact, all I need to do is look at my daughter's mischievous smile or hear my son's soft voice, and I know things are perfect.

That's the simple beauty of Thanksgiving. While plenty of folks get sidetracked by Black Friday or facing a relative they aren't too keen on, I prefer to focus on the basic beauty of a meal that brings folks together instead of driving them apart. Heck, I'm not even a big turkey fan, but for me, the meal is definitely the least memorable part of the day.

The day also is a time to reflect on what's really important. For me, that's simply my family and friends — praying for their continued good health and comfort, just like I do everyday anyhow.

The second significant event is my 20th high school reunion. It's funny to look back and see friends from twenty years ago, as well as catch up with them and what they've been doing. How do you adequately convey 20 years of events into four or five hours? You can't, and you shouldn't. As a result, it's probably best to spend time looking forward with those folks, making promises (this time, ones that you will keep) to stay in touch and reconnect.

The final event of the week is the most significant and has had the most profound impact on my life.

Nineteen years ago today, I met my wife, Melissa, for the first time. I have officially known her for more than half of my life beginning tomorrow, and the irony of the date lining up so close to Thanksgiving is not lost upon me.

There is nothing I'm more thankful for, in fact. Because of her, I have my own family to be proud of and belong to, one we created through hard work, patience and love.

And while there are many who say being married is hard work, I have to disagree. Instead, I would argue that you only need to work hard at certain things and then leave the rest to happen without too much planning or thought.

The certain things Melissa and I have worked hard at revolve around trust, respect and admiration; the rest we make some loose plans about and hope they happen. I'm a lucky guy.

So I face this strange culmination of warm feelings inside as a result of tryptophan, seeing old friends and being happy with the new life that I have.

I've also learned along the way that life is what happens to us while we are busy making plans, so I've gotten a lot better at stopping to look around.

Right now, I'm at a complete stop and simply admiring the beauty that surrounds me, because I know it will be short-lived. It's always short-lived, and too often, we forget the great times. This is a great time in my life, and I don't want to forget this feeling.

Right now, I am the most thankful person in the world. I hope you can find the beauty in this season too.