So … 2020 eh?  What a year!  Global pandemic, rioting, and a VERY close U.S. presidential election have all teamed up to make this year one for the books. 

That said I remain thankful for a number of things worth mentioning here.  First, I’m thankful for my wife who has put up with me for going on 25 years.  Second, I’m thankful for my health … despite the fact that I was recently forced to quarantine for 14 days, after a short trip to the US, and endure a total of 4 PCR nasal swabs!  Third, I’m thankful for the health and safety of family and friends, spread across six continents and more countries than today’s average college grad even knows exists!  Fourth, after years of quiet on this front, my family chooses the “Year of the Bat” to hold not one, but two weddings, socially distanced, of course.  Congratulations to my cousin Isabella and her airborne husband Seth.  As well as to my nephew Shiloh and his lovely bride Audrey.  You’ve gained the coolest cousin and uncle in the world … respectively!

Finally, I’m thankful for the number of writing opportunities and humbled by the accolades which presented themselves this year.  As many of you know, I’m really only three years into my writing career, but truly enjoy the entire process and look forward to doing it full time once either the Army is done with me, or I’m done with the Army.  This year “Persian Blood” was presented a Gold Medal by the Military Writer’s Society of America (MWSA), Medieval Warfare Magazine published my second article for that publication (in the NOV/DEC edition), and Military History Magazine—a childhood reading staple for me—has accepted one article for publication sometime next year and I’m waiting to hear whether or not they liked another.

As well, while the amount of travel this year was unfortunately kept to a minimum, I did finally get down to Aichi Prefecture in Japan, visiting a number of castles and other historic sites.  This—for me, at least—is always a relaxing and enjoyable break.  It almost … (but not quite) … makes up for the fact that for the first time in eleven years in Japan, we won’t make it back to Korea this year for Christmas and New Years.

So I guess what I’m saying is, no matter how bad or tough a year its been, there are always things for which we can be thankful.  Hoping you and yours are having a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  Keep safe, keep warm … and keep reading.

M. G. Haynes