It being the day before Thanksgiving here in the US, I thought it appropriate to be a little thankful.

I have a lot to be thankful for: wonderful wife, http://danielacorte.com, two wonderful kids. And we are all warm, dry, well fed, employed, and happy. That in itself isn’t too shabby these days.

But this Thanksgiving, I’d like to sing the praises of my mother-in-law, Linda

My wife and I have always been able to take a kid-less holiday or gracefully take care of a work emergency.  We’ve never had to worry about my daughter or son having a moment of discomfort because we can always rely on Linda.

My wife has infinite faith because she has a lifetime of evidence.  I have infinite faith because the worst that could happen is that Linda will turn my kids into copies of my wife. And, frankly, I spend some part of each day hoping she will.

My kids loooooove their grand-mother. They think she walks on water.  Not because she gives them more ice cream than we do (she does).  Not because she lets them watch TV more than we do (she does).  But, because they never doubt for a second that she would walk into a burning house for them (she would). And because she is firm, fair, thoughtful, just, patient, funny, fun, helpful, smart, and omniscient.

And my kids aren’t the only ones who feel this way. If I need a dinner reservation, I first mention my wife and if that doesn’t work I drop my mother-in-law’s name. Really… everyone loves Linda and they should.

Recently, one my engineers went away for his first kid-less night away with his wife in five years.  He and his wife seem to have a great relationship. And, certainly, they were doing just fine with the previous 1,825 kid-filled days.

But, wow did it sound like they had a great time on their night away.

And here is the thing…

These days, life is extremely complicated and balance seems to be a luxury.  It is a luxury to have time off alone with your wife.  It is a luxury to be able to concentrate on your new business in the midst of daily chaos.  It is a luxury to spend time playing with your kids.  I don’t take these luxuries for granted.  And I attribute our ability to juggle all this and find some sort of balance to Linda.

And my Thanksgiving day wish is that you all find your own Lindas and the balance that she brings.