It dawned on me, after I sent my last column to press, that this week was Christmas.  So I assure you that I have the column “Enslavement” in the hopper, but I thought it more appropriate to write something concerning this blessed holiday.   Generally, we list our reasons to be thankful at Thanksgiving.  That is the norm, and what normal thinking people tend to do.  There is a nasty rumor out there that I am not normal and tend to have a contrarian’s approach to life.  I am tempted to fiercely debate the matter but that would simply add one more layer to the mounting pile of evidence against me.  So here is a list of reasons I am thankful this Christmas season.

First and foremost, I am thankful for my Christian faith and the hope that it provides me.  A recent sermon from our Pastor compared a true expectant hope with the modern hope, which is filled with doubt.   In this arena that I have chosen to do battle, every victory seems to be couched with a “we’ll see” caveat.  We put the same measure of trust in our leaders that we put in the weatherman.  The history of failed promises leaves a cloud over our hope in the future.

Thankfully, the Christ of Christmas has never failed in any of his promises towards me.  The Bible assures me that His promises are “yea and amen”.  So in the hard discouraging times, when man fails and when life’s trials seem to provide no way of escape, I can have an expectant hope that God will provide that way of escape.  He always has.  So I can quote an old song.  “Why should I worry?  Why should I fret? ‘Cause I’ve got a Mansion Builder who ain’t through with me yet.”  I think that is what Liberals despise the most about Christians.  No matter the situation, no matter the heinous attack, Christians smile and fight on bolstered by an unseen hope.  “The wisdom of God is as foolishness to man.”  I am the most thankful for that foolish hope.

Secondly, I am thankful for my beautiful wife and babies.  My babies think they’re big kids now but they will always be my babies.  Even in these tough times, they can find a way, like at a Christmas pageant, to make me laugh or cry.  As for my wife, very few women as talented and beautiful as she would put up with the long stretches without funds as her husband fights for a better future for Maine…for free.  It is the “for free” that makes her shake her head but she still believes in me and stands with me.  I am definitely thankful for her and love her.

Yes, I am thankful for hope in the State of Maine.  It is a cautious hope but hope nonetheless.  We have fought against the government machine that has tried to crush independent contractors and now there is legislation in the works that will help to ease the burden.  So, let’s be thankful for that spark of hope.

Finally, I am thankful to be a cave man.  Yeah, I am!  If Conservatism makes me a caveman, then so be it.  A great big “thank you” to all you fellow cavemen and cavewomen who read this column and support us.  Sara (my cavegirl) and I wish a Blessed Merry Christmas for every cave in Piscataquis, Penobscot and Somerset Counties.  God Bless You All!!!