By By Chuck Bodiford Publisher
This past Thursday was a little different than most. This was because it was Thanksgiving, a time when families and friends gather together to catch up with one another. The day is marked with televised parades, football games and a turkey baked to golden perfection occupying the center of the dinner table.
Thanksgiving Day became a national holiday in the year 1863. The day originated as a commemoration of the pilgrim's first harvest, which established Plymouth Colony in present day Massachusetts. Even though the reasons for our thanks might have changed it is still a day of thanks. Thanksgiving has a special place in the hearts of people as a time to reflect over the past year to say thank you to those that have done or meant something special in our lives. As we say grace over the food that we are blessed with we frequently mention these people and ask God to bless them as they have blessed us.
This Thanksgiving I have a special reason to say thank you and a special person to say that to. On the sixth of this month, not only did I become 28, but also the proud parent of a beautiful daughter. As I think about that night, my emotions begin to overflow, remembering the nervousness I felt as I watched the clock slowly count the hours down to the excitement of watching our daughter take her first breath. I can't say thank you enough to my wife for this special gift she has given to our family.
My daughter is a daily reminder that I should be thankful for all the blessings that my family and I enjoy. In fact, having one day a year set aside to say thank you doesn't seem sufficient enough.
Too many times in our lives we wait to say our thank yous and goodbyes after it is too late. With our local national guard unit on alert, let's not wait until they are gone to tell them that we support them and are thankful for the sacrifices they are making for our country. This year, let's try something different by taking a small moment out of every day to revisit all the blessings we have been given.
Chuck Bodiford is an Atmore native and publisher of the Advance. He may be reached by calling 368-2123 or by email at chuck.bodiford@atmoreadvance.com