Another year has almost passed. It’s been a year of ups and downs for many. The political climate has been ugly but now that we are beyond the election I hope and pray we can build peace and unity in our land. As for the rest of the world, that is likewise a fervent hope and prayer.
A noted Atlanta Journal Constitution journalist offered an annual Thanksgiving column for many years until his death in 2012. This column was always an iconic piece of writing ushering in the holiday season. https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/holiday/furman-bisher-thankful/GhsSnkAxF2wPWjBRTvtBGO
Having a journalistic background and a particular connection to the AJC, I’d like to attempt to feebly emulate his tradition for this Thanksgiving blog post. For more about my newspaper connection, go here. https://www.georgiajanet.com/?page_id=737
I counted thirty-seven I am thankful for statements in Bisher’s first Thanksgiving column from 1955. I will attempt to pattern after his but I can’t mention as many sports related statements as he did! I am marking the statements that are quoted directly from his first thankful column with an asterisk.
1. I am thankful there are games to play. They help pass time and (mostly) enhance good times with friends and family.
2. I am thankful for those sports icons who are good role models.
3. I am thankful for the right to yell at the umps, referees, coaches, or players without retribution.
4. I am thankful for drivers who dim their lights on the highway without waiting for you to dim yours.*
5. I am thankful for guys who hit home runs in the last of the ninth inning with the bases loaded especially if they’re on our side.*
6. I am thankful for Elvis Presley’s original version of Love Me Tender in his amazing incomparable sultry voice.
7. I am thankful for all the little boys that make the team- and the ones who don’t.
8. I am thankful for open fireplaces and the crackle of burning logs.*
9. I am thankful for little boys who litter up a home with toys and junk and dirty clothes and love.*
10. I am thankful for the quiet that falls over a big stadium and then the chilling sound of our National Anthem.*
11. I am thankful for ice cream – chocolate, vanilla, peach, cherry, almond toffee, lemon- just ice cream.*
12. I am thankful for rain and the way it makes you feel glad to be inside.*
13. I’m thankful for calm thorough investigative reporters like Bob Woodward who don’t sensationalize news.
14. I’m thankful for good neighbors and a nice place to live.
15. I’m thankful for athletes who exhibit good sportsmanship.
16. I am thankful for reruns of the really good old TV shows like Andy Griffin.
17. I am thankful for streaming TV networks where you almost always find something that suits your fancy.
18. I am thankful for people who don’t compromise their values to make an extra buck.
19. I am thankful for internet access to all great art.
20. I am thankful for baseball fans who catch the foul ball and hand it over to a kid sitting near them.
21. I am thankful for volunteer coaches who give so much time and energy to youth sports.
22. I am thankful for the smell of burning leaves on a cool autumn day* even though I almost never get it living in Florida.
23. I am thankful for retirement funds on direct deposit day.
24. I am thankful for the way college students show support for their team with exuberant cheers, painted bodies, and elaborate get-up.
25. I am thankful for courteous and friendly drivers.
26. I am thankful for disc jockeys who know what their audience wants.
27. I am thankful for the dark at six pm on cold winter nights so I can cocoon inside in my pjs and soup.
28. I am thankful for the view as you come eastward over the Flagler bridge and that first glimpse of the ocean.
29. I am thankful that can actually sit down and play on a baby grand piano in my own home.
30. I am thankful for politicians who actually answer questions in a debate.
31. I am thankful for thick steaks medium well.*
32. I am thankful for comebacks and those who never quit providing quality entertainment.
33. I am thankful there are dedicated family run funeral homes who provide personal service during families’ most difficult days.
34. I am thankful for those first few warm days of spring when you hear “Put me in coach” playing at the rec center field. https://youtu.be/Xq3hEMUeBGQ?si=pC_uJM0Oka3IXzlI
35. I am thankful for recordings of old time gospel music since you can’t tell the difference between current day Christian and pop music.
36. I am thankful for authors who write original, creative, poignant, literary books instead of cookie-cutter tomes.
37. I am thankful for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets whose indefatigable effort never gets old and who occasionally give their fans the impossible dream.
One could go on and on listing “I am Thankful for” statements. There is always something for which to be thankful, even in the most dire circumstances. Thank you readers, thank you friends and family for being in my life, and thank you Lord for all of it!
Please share what you are thankful for in a comment below.