Look around - there's plenty of reasons to be thankful

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, unless you purchased the paper on Tuesday which in that case it’s two days away.

There will be a number of print article and columns, along with broadcast stories about why we should be thankful, and what we should be thankful for this Thursday. There will also be a fair share about a number of other topics that sprout about this time such as commercialism of the holidays, stress associated with the season and leading into the “War on Christmas” — scheduled to begin this Friday, I believe.

I’m not going to talk about any of that. Instead, here is what I am thankful for, and it’s a list inspired somewhat by actor Kevin Costner’s little soliloquy in the movie “Bull Durham” about what he likes.

If the reference eludes you, watch the movie.

I am thankful for my family and friends, for their love and affection, physical, emotional and financial health and companionship. It might not all be perfect, but it doesn’t matter.

I’m thankful for work and for those I work with and their camaraderie. I’m thankful for my employers (I’m not looking for a raise because yes, I know one’s not there) because they work hard to keep our doors open.

I’m thankful I’m alive, relatively healthy with a good roof over my head (half of which is brand new, thanks to 2015’s storm). I’m thankful that, even though I am just one person among billions, I can have a positive impact in this world, even if just in a small way.

That’s still important. Think about it.

I’m thankful for my church, my denomination and my faith. They’re also my family, as are those of other churches and faiths because essentially, we all seek the same thing.

I’m thankful for those who disagree with me and who may even oppose me because it makes me stronger in my beliefs while also at times opening my mind.

I’m thankful that when I flick a wall switch, power comes on. I’m thankful that when I turned the knob on my faucet, water flows in and when I flush my toilet, water flows out.

I’m thankful for being able to afford EWU football season and playoff tickets, and the success the team has had. I’m thankful I’m an Eastern Washington University alum, a university that believes in giving opportunities to those who haven’t had many before.

I’m thankful I know how to cook, read, write and do my laundry. I’m thankful to the guy in Idaho who cut, stacked and sold me the red fir firewood so I will have extra warmth this winter.

I’m thankful to those in the private and public sectors who truly believe in making other people’s lives better. I’m thankful I live in a country whose citizenry has the power and tools to make sure our air, water and lands are clean and protected. I’ve been to a country where that is not the case, and believe me, we’re lucky.

I’m thankful for the people who grow my food and stock my food, who keep my neighborhood safe and streets clean. I’m thankful for those who volunteer to make their communities better places, safer places and friendlier places.

I’m thankful for people who read our paper and believe in their community by helping keep their community newspaper alive and kicking.

And, I’m thankful my tire didn’t blow out on the way to work this morning, and if it does on the way home later tonight, I’m thankful that somehow I will make it home.

When I look at it, and while I do appreciate the effort, I really don’t need others to tell me what to be thankful for in my life. How about you?

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].