DRIFTWOOD OUTDOORS: Plenty to be thankful for

It has been a great year for people who love the outdoors

Hunting season can be a great bonding time between parents and their children.
Hunting season can be a great bonding time between parents and their children.

As my family gathered around the table to break bread for Thanksgiving dinner, the first thing that struck me was how empty the room felt. Ten years ago there were twice as many people. Both of my grandfathers and a cousin, who left us way too soon, have passed away. Another cousin has moved south and started his own family, drawing my aunt and uncle to their distant table. Another uncle was lost to divorce. Yes, my family has experienced our fair share of loss.

Focusing on the negative is no way to spend Thanksgiving. So after letting those thoughts pass, I forced myself to refocus on positives from 2012 and thought I'd share with you a few things I am thankful for: