What can I say about Thanksgiving?

By Jim Thompson
HCP columnist

Over the years, I have eschewed (love that word) offering best wishes at holidays. Maybe this year is different.  

Thankfulness should be practiced daily, not just one day a year. I am thankful for My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I am also thankful for:

• Laura.

• Children and their spouses – Elaine (Travis), Allison (Curt) and Ryan (Kassi).

• Grandchildren – Huck, Thor, Nora, Graham, Davis and Blair.

• My extended family.

• The rich experiences of my life.

• My health.

• Modern medicine.

• The opportunity to basically do what I want to do.

• Farmers.

• The United States Constitution.

• My ability to write and to have outlets for my writing.

• The readers of this column.

• Living in this particular time and place.

• My early days without television, central heating and bathrooms.

• My early days on the farms.

• My mother’s cooking.

• Laura’s cooking.

• Sweets – cakes, pies and so forth.

• A warm home.

• The ability to travel.

• Computers and cell phones (a mixed blessing).

• The ability to think deeply.

• Broc the dog and Fred the dog before him.

• Family memories.

• My Mennonite friends.

• My wheat farmer friends in Kansas.

• My education.

• Over 50 years’ experience in the pulp and paper industry.

• Work ethic.

• Curiosity.

• Employees and partners – —Steve and Helen Roush.

• Rory Ryan.

• Long-term friend Phil Harris. Men don’t usually have long-term friends.

• Friends and acquaintances around Marshall and Hillsboro. Too many to mention.

• No particular priorities here except the first two. Happy Thanksgiving.

Jim Thompson, formerly of Marshall, is a graduate of Hillsboro High School and the University of Cincinnati. He resides in Duluth, Ga. and is a columnist for The Highland County Press.