READERS’ THANKSGIVING
From Jack (age 6) I am thankful for my dog. And then my mom and dad. And my brother and sister most of the time. From Mickey I am thankful for our military that provides our freedoms, for each night that becomes day and friends that become family. From Brad The balance on the scales of life weighs far to the side of blessing and reasons to be thankful. Not just on Thanksgiving Day but every day. My family, especially grandchildren, friends, work and the physical things of home and hearth are hard to overlook as the top blessing and certainly along with health, personal satisfaction. Not to forget the day before each of us and whatever time we have left to make a positive mark in this life is a blessing. Finally the staples of food, comforts and resources to have some of the things that are extra “wants” in life. My cup runs over and I enjoy getting up each day to meet the adventure that has been given to me. From Kathy At 48 years old, I am SO thankful for new beginnings. From Deborah I have subscribed to the Times for over 30 years. I wanted to let you let you know how thankful I am for your Community Conversation and your other articles. I don’t always agree with you but find your articles are always thought provoking, sometimes humorous and usually on the money. From Terry I am thankful that at least David Cook still writes on Sunday in this space and I only have to ignore you three times a week. From Rick I am thankful every time I open my curtains and see the newspaper in the driveway. With TFP’s [delivery] issues, so many times it simply isn’t. I enjoy your Right to the Point columns. Thanks for your twisted humor and for making us think. Keep up the good work. From Amanda The 48 years I was given with mom and the traces of her I continue to see in my daughters.
Jay GreesonI am thankful for so many things, and I should be thankful so much more often than I am.
It's a familiar response on this of all days, when we are especially grateful for the bounty of blessings that start with faith, family and friends.
That quickly turns to food on this Thanksgiving Thursday - especially here in the South - and the celebration of a life spent too often worrying about the First World problems many of us over-magnify.
This year for my family has been a little different, though. My wife lost her grandmother, a lovely Southern woman we lovingly called GiGi. Four months ago, we learned my mother has cancer.
Still, we have it way better than we deserve, and on this blessed day, may I offer a prayer for a year in which all of us spend more time being thankful for what we have than being anxious about what we don't.
With that, allow me a few specific notes of thanks and gratitude before you dive face-first into your 2,000-calorie, nap-inducing lunch.
I am thankful that my kids got to know GiGi before she went to be with her Lord.
I am thankful that my parents have tenaciously embraced the daily fight that has become their new normal.
I am thankful for my wife, because I can't imagine life without her for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that I am fully aware that the toughest job to do well on this planet is to be a single parent.
I am thankful that I got to watch Ryan Parker play football this fall for Baylor School. The kid plays harder and smarter and more determined than anyone I can remember in a long time.
I am thankful I got to watch the second- and third-grade Ducks under coaches Bill Kennedy and Stephen Ratterman win it all last week at Baylor. The quack attack - Chris, Will, Hugh, Wyatt, William, Davis, Nelson, Grey, Joseph and Lee - were a joy, and they had almost as much fun winning the title as they did running through the paper banner beforehand. (Side note: Who was there on the sideline watching these little kids excel and stumble at the game he loves? Yep, Ryan Parker.)
I am thankful for the light in every child's eyes when they sound out a word, solve the math equation, make contact with the baseball or find that glorious moment of success in whatever the endeavor.
I am thankful for the litany of committed folks who work to make our city better.
I am thankful that we are the Michael Jordan of Internet voting contests, and even more thankful that Chattanooga as a city actually deserves the praise.
I am thankful that our city leaders are willing to think in a variety of areas to try to solve violent crimes, and I will be even more thankful when they realize that the VRI simply is not working here. And we all will be thankful when we stop throwing good money after bad to try to salvage a program that is long on stats but short on real results.
I am thankful for the chance to offer my opinion here - a new and at times scary challenge for me this year - three times a week. And I am even more thankful for the thoughtful feedback - good and bad - it generates.
I am thankful for the dozens of responses you all sent of things you are thankful for and will list some of them here.
I am thankful that every time I drive by the National Cemetery I realize the sacrifice and honor and heroism it represents.
I am thankful that the U.S. Navy flew Houston and Georgia McElroy of South Pittsburg to Norfolk, Va., so they could be with their brother, Seaman Dalton McElroy, for Thanksgiving.
I am so very thankful with the way our city rallied and responded and cried and carried forward after the tragic attacks of July 16.
We have always been strong. But now we all have a new appreciation of Chattanooga Strong.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com and 423-757-6343. His "Right to the Point" column appears on A2 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.