Chad M. Farrand

Here’s my annual list of things I’m thankful for, 2008 edition:

My wife, the loves she gives me, the laugh she laughs, the moments between us that are between us

My kids, their love, laughter, silliness, and the crazy stuff that they think of

My family, sisters, brother, parents and so on

My Tapestry family, new ones, old ones, small ones and tall ones, you all amaze me

My new 5th Reformed family, thanks for welcoming us

My Western Seminary family, for helping me get smarterer

For the comedians who kept me laughing this year, specifically: Brian Regan, Jim Gaffigan, Zach Gallifinakis, Patton Oswald, Brain Possehn, Maria Bamford, Dave Chappelle, Demetri Martin, Steven Colbert, Jon Stewart and of course Steve Correll.

For Clay, for helping me to see the blessing in having a disease like mine

For the Suburu that we were able to get from our tax rebate. You’ve been a good friend along the way, sorry you are sick right now and pray that you come home today. Thank you especially for warming my backside with your leather bucket heated seats.

For the great music that I heard this year, specifically: Viva la Vida by Coldplay (the whole album, not just that song), Dave Matthews for everything you’ve ever done w/ the band and solo or duet with Tim, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Derek Webb and your better half Sandra who move me to tears, Charlie Peacock for everything especially for reminding me how much I love John Coltrane and the Love Supreme, and Ray LaMontaine whom I discovered this year, thanks for soothing my soul during painfilled days

For the great books I’ve read, well, to the authors of the great books I’ve read, especially: Phyllis Tickle and NT Wright

For my mom, whom I’ve already mentioned but felt that she deserved a second thank you. Thanks for the “date nights” we had, the conferences we went to together, the movies we saw, the times when it was just you and I  talking (in person and just on the phone). Thank you for your unyielding love and believing in me when I don’t.

For my cell phones who kept me in touch with those people I needed to connect with. You rarely drop a call, and I thank you for that.

For Church, the good and the bad. I am re-learning to love you in all your complexities. I am learning how to appreciate old traditions that I thought were too passe to keep doing.

For Jesus and your daddy. (and I don’t mean Joseph whom I wouldn’t know from Adam. I know that this should be the first post, but I didn’t want to sound like some pathetic musician who thanks God when they win an award)

For pain medicine that gets me by, I wish I didn’t have to thank you, but thanks. Especially to the makers of Vicodin and Lyrica. I hate you and love you.

For Jim (and we both thank Jesus’ dad for Les)

For Brian and Amy and your two girls.

For Starbucks and Beaner’s (who I almost didn’t mention because of their name change this year to Biggby, come on get a better name than that) – for the great joe

For Bruce, Jon, Craig and Craig – thanks for all your time, laughter and friendship…mostly for putting up with me

For Twitter, just for being you.

For Eric, Kerrie and the boys for your friendship and work together. Couldn’t make it with out you.

For Mr. and Mrs. Owen for birthing and raising two awesome sons, whom have somehow made even cooler babies.

For Anna and her parents Dave and Manda for all the love and support.

For the makers of DayQuil and NyQuil, especially NyQuil.

For Glen Hasnard and Marketa who made an amazing film, Once, that still just kills me when I watch it, and an equally amazing soundtrack.

For Apple and all the miracles you produce each day.

For America who helped elect Barack Obama in a landslide.

For Barack Obama for getting elected.

For Rick Sanchez who read my name on CNN one day, I’m just vain enough to note that. I’m working on it people.

For Michigan, and all the people who stuck it out another year rather than moving away from her. You have moxie.

For NBC and another season of the Office and 30 Rock.

For ABC and another season of House.

For the Travel Channel and another season of No Reservations w/ Anthony Bourdain, whom I’ve grown to appreciate this year.

For the makers of my UGG slippers and Acorn fleece slipper socks. I try to thank you every day.

For Brad and Neil in Long Beach who put me up this year when it was freezing in Michigan, and who came to Michigan from Long Beach – when it was freezing here. Also to the Greenhouse learning community.