Although it wasn't a stellar diving year for me ... and I had to back out on two diving trips that I had very much looked forward to doing ... I still have a lot to be thankful for.
I'm thankful that I was able to resume teaching in July ... and surprised that I had a whole passel of people sign up for classes ... it paid for the engine I suddenly found I had to replace in my car.
I'm thankful for the world's best next-door neighbor, who looks after my place when I'm not home ... even to the point of cutting my grass and sweeping the fir needles out of my driveway. He's the best.
I'm thankful for a job I love doing, the great people I work with, a boss that I admire and respect (and who respects me) ... and all at a salary that not only pays my bills, but supports a pretty healthy scuba addiction. In today's job climate, that alone is worth being thankful for.
I'm thankful to be living in a place where I can dive whenever I want, year round, at a moment's notice ... it always delights, and sometimes surprises me with the critters I get to see.
And most of all I'm thankful for a healthy, dynamic, and thriving dive community ... both locally and around the world. I've met a lot of wonderful and interesting people since I started diving. Notably, this year, I have had the opportunity to get to know and share some diving with Curt Bowen ... the owner of Advanced Diver Magazine. Those two trips were the highlight of my year ... and I'm looking forward to more of the same in 2011 and years to come ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)