Here’s my list of people and things for which I am extremely grateful on this Thanksgiving:
I’m thankful for religious freedom allowing Americans to choose their church and participate in whatever algorithm is in play there.
Thanks for the advancements made in medical technology and for the brilliant minds who figured it out. I’ve survived a couple of scary tests lately (or, believe I have). Thank you, Jesus.
School teachers, public and private, for obvious reasons. They’re the backbone of America.
Let’s be thankful for farmers’ markets.
I’m glad all of us aren’t alike and we have Democrats, Republicans and a few hard-headed independents representing us in political office. However, they’ve forgotten that “no single party can achieve its goals in isolation; collaboration and negotiation are essential.” (Author unknown)
I am grateful for sanitation workers who relieve us of our waste. Consider what it’d be like without them.
Thank the veterans who keep us free.
For family reunions. I recently missed ours in the postcard hamlet of Liberty, but my sister and cousins are keeping alive what our kinfolk began decades ago. Our forebears were farmers, carpenters, lawyers, teachers, Realtors and one terrific reporter (my father, who for 50 years did the only work he wanted). They loved Southwest Mississippi, but they weren’t proud of the racial atrocities that occurred in the past and wished justice had been reached. There’s still time.
All Mississippians should be thankful for our state’s musical heritage as the “Birthplace of America’s Music.” Enhancing this sobriquet is Grammy Museum Mississippi in Cleveland, the only official Grammy museum outside of the original in Los Angeles.
The country’s most ardent sportsmen realize that Mississippi’s deer herd is the country’s finest. Thanks to the state’s wildlife agency and officers for superb management of this undeniable resource.
Some people in America are hungry this Thanksgiving. That’s a sad fact.
I appreciate high school football coaches, Methodist preachers and state legislators. No other people receive more advice on how to do their jobs than holders of those positions. I realize pastors of other faiths are counseled by parishioners.
The first tomato sandwich of spring is one of life’s joys.
Most good small towns have a vibrant chamber of commerce. These groups hold folks together for the common good. Of similar importance are service clubs like Rotary, Lions, Exchange, Sertoma, Junior Auxiliary, Jaycees, Pilot, Kiwanis, PTA and many others. Bless the volunteers.
Most good towns are served by a local newspaper. I wish they’d return to printing little league box scores. Circulation would rise immediately, allowing more news coverage. I don’t know why they ever quit it.
I’m grateful that each of Mississippi’s “Big 3” college football teams has enjoyed a better season this year than last. We have a terrific trio of coaches: Charles Huff at USM, Jeff Lebby at State and Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss. Let’s keep them.
