WE gather again this year around the table to give thanks.
It is a time to be thankful for the many blessings, often overlooked, which fill our lives on a daily basis. Too often we forget to be thankful for things, both big and small. We are reminded of it on a holiday, but in reality, we should be grateful 12 months a year.
Sports journalism icon Furman Bisher, my hero in this field, has penned a “Thankful” column of this nature for decades. While one of his columns (on this or any subject) is worth 50 of my efforts, I attempt to duplicate the master and offer thanks for
the enjoyment of watching the multitude of birds and squirrels who arrive within seconds of our putting food out for them.
•an Atlanta radio station that plays nothing but 80s music each weekend.
•Wes Durham being a part of the Atlanta Falcon and Georgia Tech radio broadcasts. In the year 2010, he is the best at what he does.
•a good book, be it about sports or politics. My most recent one is “Sound and Fury: Two Powerful Lives, One Fateful Friendship” by Dave Kindred about Howard Cosell and Muhammad Ali.
•memories of my grandparents and gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving.
•the person who calls not to complain about something that was in or not in the paper.
•the fact the rooms always lights up when I flip the light switch.
•ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Classic...well you get the idea.
•the fan or parent who watches high school sports and actually has some idea about the sport.
•the years we had with Bobby Cox managing the Braves.
•a Night Ranger CD.
•the late-night radio show “Coast to Coast AM” which features topics such as ghosts, bigfoot, UFOs and the like.
•the politician who remembers what he or she said while campaigning once they actually get into office.
•a close group of childhood friends who remain friends decades later. This past year has been a blessing in that I have actually reconnected with friends I had been out of touch with for too long.
•my friends Steve and Brandie Brown, my unofficial family here in Winder. In addition to their friendship, the two have allowed me to serve as a mentor to their daughter (and our photographer Jessica). This has been one of the most enjoyable experiences this 39-year-old has had the pleasure of undertaking. Jessica, in addition, to keeping this out-of-touch kid of the 80s up-to-date on today’s teenagers, has captured my heart like a real daughter. Blessings of this kind are rare but precious.
•my better half Pam for never complaining that there is always some game or meeting to go to. For more than 15 years she has stood by me in the newspaper business when most would not have.
•a favorite song you hear on the radio.
•the couch on a Saturday afternoon which always seems so inviting these days.
•the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving TV special.
•pets and the joy they give us on a daily basis.
•a hamburger cooked on the grill.
•the fact my car still gets me where I need to go despite having 190,000 miles on it.
•fall.
•memories of growing up reading the Macon and Atlanta papers each day. A true passion was born that lives to this day.
Finally, here’s hoping each of you remember what’s important and to tell those important to you how much they mean. Never take tomorrow for granted. Be thankful for each day. Until next year when we gather around the table again.
