In celebration of Thanksgiving, my classes spent part of today
listing things they are grateful for in their lives. Since “what is good for the goose is good for
the gander” I decided to share a few of my ‘thankfuls.’ I will try to avoid cliché items and focus on
some that I really find appropriate for my situation. Let’s hope I don’t get too corny or so carried
away that I lose the true spirit of the project.
Here goes!!!
1.
Peanut Butter – one of
the great contributions to life from George Washington Carver. Thank you GWC because now, when I get hungry
and there’s nothing easy to eat, I can find bread and slather on PB (with a
little J) and survive another day.
2.
Rubber – thanks to Goodrich or
Goodyear, or whomever found a practical way to make rubber for personal
use. How else would I have anything to
flip at students when I get frustrated or crazy?
3.
Ball Point Pens (which
eventually became other methods of writing) – imagine having to use inkwells
and pointy sticks to write out a check or put down the things we have in
journals. Not a happy thought. (But then again, I don't do much writing with a pen because I have this cute little computer thingy -- oh well, I still am thankful for pens)
4.
Solar Watches – it was
always frustrating to have to wind or replace a battery in my watch --- so much
so that I often forgot. Now, with a
watch that runs using the power of the sun, I can blissfully go through many
years (about 18 right now) and not worry one bit about powering or winding my
little time friend.
5.
Science Fiction – this
world is wonderful but it is so much fun to speculate on what ‘might be’ if we
had some fantastic scientific knowledge or could cross current limits. I cut my SF teeth on Robert Heinlein and
Isaac Asimov and never looked back. Most
of what I know about physics, geometry, astronomy, history and a myriad other topics comes from
science fiction stories and books.
6.
Scriptures – as a young
man I never considered that this would become important but the older I get,
the more I know I need the guidance available in these sacred books. I love God and His Son and want to know all
about Them and Their work. These books offer
the ability to understand, in a small way, who and what They are and what They
have in store for us (You know I had to have at least one serious/normal thing
in my list).
7.
The Best Wife in the World
(no battle) – anyone who can be
faithful to a man like me for nearly 37 years has to be anointed for sainthood
in any religion on the earth. The fact
that she doesn't run screaming from the house when I return each day is a
testament to the tolerance and love she has for the “weak things of the world.”
8.
Scuba Diving – how
else can you have an experience that results in the following statement as you
sit on the bottom of the ocean------ I should be dead
right now!!! It is so much fun and such a rush – if only it didn't cost so much!!
9.
Great Music – while
there are many interpretation of this phrase, I have found that it can appear
in just about any venue. Classical,
Rock, Country, Religious, Reggae, Big Band, even Rap have songs and
arrangements that can touch the heart and change the soul. I love music.
10.
Children – I love
being around young people of all types. Probably
why I chose the profession I now practice.
These are God’s greatest creations and will be the ones who prepare for
whatever future this earth may have. I have
great faith in them and know that they will protect and preserve the goodness
that comes to us all from God. I especially
love and honor those who have been sent to our little family. These are the hopes of my future and the
future of all that is dear to me.
OK, there were a couple that drifted to seriousness but I think
I can be forgiven for that. I have lots
more that I thank Heavenly Father for every day but these are some of my
favorites.
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