Just How Thankful are We?

Just how thankful are we?

Sure pholks, we all know how to say the blessing at the Thanksgiving table, be it at Grandma’s, Mom’s or the restaurant. No matter our age, we know the ritual and even if we don’t get all the words right or stumble over a phrase or two, the message gets across and then everyone digs it for the most anticipated meal of the year.

Even for those who earn the right to give the blessing for the first time or those who accept the honor as the gathering’s “elder,” the giving of thanks is important.

Like too many of us, I seem to take things for granted. Sure we are thankful for the food at the feast, the hands which prepared it, the gathering of loved ones and all the easy to remember things which go with the holiday.

Maybe it’s just an age thing, but I have been given a lot more thought in the last few years about how thankful I should be. And, you know, pholks, it’s worth a few moments each day in each of our busy schedules to just remind ourselves that there is a lot we should consider in the blessing count. Some may sound a little silly, but when you stop and think about it, we’re a pretty lucky people.

We are a free people and always will be. Even with economic, social, political, personal and career worries, we seem to survive. Not everyone has it easy and, in fact, there actually are very few of us who can truthfully say they have no worries, major concerns or daily obstacles to overcome. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who honestly can attest to that.

I read, watch, listen to news every day. Several days a week I write some of it. Freedom of the press is something each of us at times takes for granted. A nation with a free press is a nation with hope. Without it, the odds are against it and the people in it.

I can watch sports, the news, stupid shows, educational shows and everything in between. I’m thankful I can afford that and thankful for the remote control.

I can travel to where I can afford to go, which these days isn’t too far, and don’t have to worry about showing three pieces of identification and a body search if I chose to cross a state border. Airline travel is a little different matter but the vast majority of us can do it relatively easy for the most part.

I can buy whatever I can afford and eat what I can afford and where I want.

I can read what I want, where I want and when I want.

I can talk to whomever I want as long as they want to talk to me. I can vote for whom I want or vote against whom I don’t want. I can even run for office, if I want, which I don’t, but I have the choice.

I can drive whatever vehicle I can afford and it can be any color I want.

So pholks, even though you might opt not to mention some of these things while giving the blessing, if you are the chosen one, it might be nice to at least be mindful of those things which all of us take for granted.

It’s just food for thought.

So is apple and pumpkin pie, ice cream, lots of gravy and mashed potatoes, turkey and ham.

And green beans, if I want them.

For that I’m also thankful.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com