Simple thanks for the right stuff

[OneBlueSky]

this is a letter to the editor that appeared in my local paper, oh, maybe ten years ago . . . I liked it enought to save it, and offer it here with good Thanksgiving wishes to all . . . :)

I have no ax to grind, no spleen to vent, no hidden agenda to promote, no political cause to champion, no elected official to bash, no school board to shame and no finger to point in any direction.

Why, you might wonder, am I writing if I have nothing in particular to write about? The answer is in a word, “simple.” I want to call attention to the simple life and give thanks, at this time of Thanksgiving, for all the simple gifts I’ve been blessed with in my life.

Unfortunately we live in a world that celebrates the celebrity, glorifies the over-achiever, and fills the commoner with a deep sense of emptiness because he/she is not a singular, stellar sensation. The simple life has been dismissed because it is simple.

I have never been given any awards or accolades for anything. I’ve never been the recipient of a Pulitzer, Oscar, Emmy, Tony or Grammy. My name has never appeared in a society column. I’ve never been scouted by anybody from the NFL, NHL or NBA. I’ve never been courted by upper management from a Fortune 500 company. I’ve never made a killing in the stock market. I’ve never come closer than having two numbers in the state Lottery. I’ve never turned heads entering, or leaving, a restaurant. I’ve never been in demand on the speaking circuit. I’ve never appeared on the front, middle or back of People, Time or Life. I’m not married to a super-model. My children are neither prodigies nor famous in their own right. And as for my ancestry? All I can say is that I come from a long line of dead people.

And for all that I’m truly thankful. I’m thankful that I can still marvel at a sunset, be in awe of a harvest moon, be enchanted by the sounds of a summer night and the smells of an autumn afternoon, and be moved by a piece of music. I’m thankful that I can still be surprised by life’s little ironies and coincidences. I’m thankful for all the people – past and present – who have allowed me to be part of their lives. I’m thankful for the wonderful teachers I had in school, and I’m thankful for the wonderful teachers who have touched my children with their special gifts. I’m thankful for an incredible wife who has not only been the most supportive person in my life, but who also continues to be my best friend. I’m thankful for the gift of four honest children who, while perplexing me with their emotional and spiritual needs, have given me four additional opportunities to love. I’m thankful for the religious and the worshipping faithful who stand as great role models in my life.

Above all I thank God for the precious gift of life and for letting me share in his creation. Through the miracles of birth and the tragedies of death I’ve witnessed the power of his presence. And I’ve been humbled and immeasurably blessed.

Believing in the joy of simplicity, I no longer have to think that my life will have been in vain if I don’t amount to anything big. I came into this life with nothing and if I play my cards right I’ll leave with nothing (in secular terms) but with plenty of the right stuff.

So, my bank account might continually be running on empty, but my heart is full. What more can I ask for? I’ve got it all!

(posted this earlier in the Meeting Room . . . thought some here might enjoy it as well . . . )

on edit: oops . . . meant to post this in the Lounge . . . mods feel free to move it if you like . . . or leave it here . . . your call . . .


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