Beech Tree News Network

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Daniel Humm said, “What I love about Thanksgiving is that it’s purely about getting together with friends or family and enjoying food. It’s really for everybody, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/thanksgiving). Humm has a point, but for me Thanksgiving is also about being thankful. Outside of the people in my life (for which I am very thankful), I have been blessed in many ways. I want to share four of those blessings.

 First, I am thankful for my health. I’ve heard others say that good health is one of the greatest blessings. Certainly, I have limitations and risk factors; but generally, I am healthy and feel good. I am thankful for the ability to exercise and to work. I am thankful for my memory even though it’s not as sharp as it once was. And I am thankful for good vision and hearing. For a sixty-something-year-old grandmother, I’m doing pretty well.

 Second, I am thankful for the experiences that have allowed me to develop some perspective. Abi Morgan said, “Life experiences inherently change you…” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/life_experiences). I agree; most of us grow up. Some things, such as getting an education, traveling to different places, and living and working in various locations, helped my development. Additionally, some tough life lessons have helped me to be more content so that I appreciate my situation much more than I might have.

 Third, I am thankful to be a retired teacher. I loved every educational job I ever held and enjoyed going to work. I enjoyed working with students and with other good people. Although each day had a schedule, each day was different – and certainly not boring. Being a retired teacher, I don’t have unlimited funds, but I am very thankful for the opportunity to enjoy my retirement years. As Gene Wilder said, “I’ve had a very good life and a very good career. I have no regrets” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/career) – or at least none that keep me awake at night.

 Finally, I am thankful to have been born in the U.S. and specifically Kentucky. I am also thankful that my late husband moved our family to Butler County about 37 years ago. Not only is Butler County a pretty location, but it is a good place to raise children. Of course, no place is perfect, but this is home. I’ve heard it said that people usually are the happiest at home, and that’s true for me.

Country music legend Willie Nelson said, “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/thanksgiving-ideas/g3820/best-...). These four things are only a small portion of the things for which I am thankful. And, Thanksgiving is a good time to recognize my blessings.