THANKSGIVING
MEANS BEING THANKFUL
The late Atlanta Journal/Constitution sports legend, Furman Bisher, was
passionate about many things. Sports,
his family, writing for the AJC for 59 years and expressing his thanks during
Thanksgiving over the big and small facets of his life which garnered him a
column in the paper on Thanksgiving Day. Many years ago these holiday columns
caught my eye with his delightful snippets of what made him thankful throughout
each year. Reading many of these columns I was impressed by what he considered
worthy of praise. He was an ordinary
man who had the same loves, interests, appreciations and enjoyments we all do
and was not shy about letting his readers know what he appreciated at this
holiday season.
Each of us have things in our lives for which we are thankful.
Furman once said, “If you’re like me, you need to be reminded, more
than once a year, of the small joys that make life (literally) wonderful. I have
sometimes been thankful seriously and I have sometimes been thankful for the
most curious things. Be thankful, not just at Thanksgiving but anytime during
the year is a good time to be grateful.”
This holiday season of 2017 I pass along a list of things for which I am
thankful for on a daily basis:
·
Growing
up in Monroe and the many friends and neighbors who shared their lives with me
and my family.
·
All
those poor turkeys who gave their lives so we might enjoy a bountiful meal on
this holiday.
·
Country
ham & red-eye gravy being served up for breakfast on a cold winter’s
morning.
·
All
the brave gallant who have given their lives over the decades so our nation
remains strong and free and for those who continue to fight for the safeguard of
our country.
·
Those
chilly mornings you look out to see frost on the grass.
·
For
those wonderful Georgia Bulldogs…..”Go Dawgs!”
·
Hearing
those church bells peal on a Sunday morning in Monroe.
·
Those
exciting Christmas parades down Broad Street with Santa following at the end.
Did anyone ever find out where he kept his sleigh?
·
Still
being able to pick up a book and read the print!
·
Monroe-Walton
County Library which began in 1936 and still going strong, giving the county a
repository of books and services for all to enjoy.
·
Seeing
some folks STILL talk in restaurants instead of texting on their IPhone!
·
Those
sweet, nostalgic memories of past Thanksgivings celebrated in Monroe with family
and friends.
·
The
eager anticipation of seeing those Christmas decorations being put up on Broad
Street.
·
When
Daylight Savings Time ends and it gets dark early, making a perfect segue for
lighting candles or enjoy a roaring fire in the fireplace as you sip a cocktail
or two.
·
The
“old days” when you could walk up and down Broad Street and know most
everyone you met.
·
For
those long ago merchants on Broad Street whom you knew along with the sales
people who made shopping enjoyable.
·
Those
long forgotten church hay rides around town ending up in a bonfire in the old
field behind the Monroe High School on Bold Springs Ave.
·
Looking
up words in a dictionary instead of relying on “Spell Check” to ensure your
words are correct.
··
My
old Royal typewriter, hidden away in the attic, waiting for the day it will be
resurrected with a new ribbon. There is just something about a letter typed on a
typewriter!
·
Forever
grateful for the life and teachings of Nell Denton Mashburn and the sixteen
years she spent in Monroe giving her students an education unlike no other. She
was truly “One of life’s extras.”
·
Hearing
the clock in the old court house chime the hours.
·
The
star on top of the old courthouse placed there by the Kiwanis Club in 1954
shining a holiday light on downtown Monroe.
·
Santa’s
sleigh and reindeer atop the old VFW building on Highway 78, signaling Christmas
was near!
· Friends and family members who left us this year and for the wonderful, happy memories they leave behind. You will be at the forefront of our list of blessings this year.
·
For
all those friends who still enjoy the habit of writing letters by hand.
·
When
church members would go caroling from street to street in December warming the
hearts of neighbors on a chilly night.
·
Patrick
Graham & staff of The Walton Tribune for keeping alive the concept of the
“hometown newspaper”.
·
Those
many citizens of long ago whose unselfish generosity and love for the city
brought honor and fame to our town….we remember and salute you!
·
Those
old songs of the 50’s, 60’s & 70’s that, no matter how hard you try to
keep them in, they bring tears to your eyes for the memories the evoke.
·
Those
school teachers where were special to me: Sarah Kidd, Myrtle Shields, Savannah
Mayfield, Mindell Hester, Eleanor Preston, Ina Sue Hughes, Allyne Brown, Sarah
Lowery, Nanette Robison, Bill Dawson, Dot McGarity & Principal Robert L.
Ash.
Alice
Moon penned a poem over 50 years ago which still rings true as we gather
together this year to give thanks. Her poem reads:
The
red and golds of autumn
still
linger on the hill,
As
we gather nature’s bounties,
our
depleted stores to fill.
The
pumpkin’s orange, the apple’s red,
the
green stripes of the gourd,
That
now lay gathered safe from storms,
present
a brilliant hoard.
Some
wild geese still are sailing,
Alert,
the wild birds flush,
The
hunter’s at his traililng,
the
artist seeks his brush.
At
night the stars seem closer
the
trees still hold their fire
Till
winter winds play havoc
with
leaves we now admire.
When
we pause from daily strivings
and
give thought to our gifts…
Our
homes, our work, our families,
quite
soon our vision lifts
To
God, before whose harvest
all
man-made things decrease.
Our
humble hearts are grateful
that
still his gifts increase.
We
take stock of our blessings,
viewing
one more harvest’s hoard,
And
we bow in thankful reverence
at
the table of the Lord.
I wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving filled with good food, family,
friends & memories which continues to enrich our holidays.