LODI, Wis. -- A soldier who was among those injured in the Fort Hood shooting rampage in Texas has returned home to Lodi, and his return is making the holidays even more special for his family.

Army Reserve Spc. Grant Moxon was supposed to go to Afghanistan next month with his Madison-based 467th Medical Detachment unit to counsel soldiers with mental health needs.

Instead, he's dealing with his own, as well as a bullet wound, but he's also giving thanks for his blessings along the way.

"There's definitely a lot more to be thankful for," said Moxon from home after catching a flight back to Wisconsin last Friday.

At the Moxon house in Lodi just north of Madison, the Thanksgiving traditions were well under way Wednesday.

His mother Kathy was busy making apple pie, while her oldest son played with the family cat Shadow, albeit using a new cane.

"It's just an extra special thing to know that he's safe and he's home," Kathy Moxon said.

Moxon's father agreed that this holiday is special.

"Absolutely. It really makes it meaningful," Dave Moxon said.

The family of five said this Thanksgiving will be extra special as they ponder the good fortune of having their 23-year-old soldier return home after being caught in -- and surviving -- the Fort Hood shooting.

"When I first heard he was shot, it was like, 'It can't be, it's my son. He can't possible by shot,' you know?" Dave Moxon said.

"I was just really glad I was able to make it back alive, with only just a little bullet hole in my leg. It could be worse," Grant Moxon said.

Grant Moxon said he was sitting down with other unit members when he heard shouting and shots fired. Moxon said he thought it was an army exercise and so did others.

He said the bullet felt "like a sledgehammer" and he played dead for a short bit before hiding behind a desk and then running out of the building with some others.

"The bullet went into my leg right there," he said, pointing to his left leg. "So about two inches above my knee, and it's lodged somewhere in my thigh."

Taking the bullet out of Moxon's leg might cause muscle damage, so it's being left in.

But he said being home helps him with his physical and emotional injuries, including the loss of three buddies from his unit who killed in the rampage.

"(I'm) definitely coming to terms with it now, but with it's not easy," Grant Moxon said.

Moxon had been on base just 24 hours before the shots rang out, and despite his gunshot he ran out of the building.

Three weeks later his family's counting its blessings, and so is he.

Grant Moxon said he's got new perspective now on what's really important.

"Enjoy everyday as it comes. I got a lot more to enjoy now. Everything doesn't seem quite as bad," he said.

Grant Moxon said he hopes to be off his cane in a couple weeks and running for sport again in a couple months.

He said he also hopes to work at his Army unit office in Madison, and perhaps get his master's degree in psychology.