Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you might miss it.
Tis the season to be thankful; no, extra thankful, for what we have and not worrying about what we haven't.
Sometimes Thanksgiving gets lost. People are already thinking ahead to Christmas, and we forget about the many wonderful things that we have been given and are able to enjoy.
I am most thankful for this newspaper. Because of it I have been able to meet some of the most wonderful and amazing people I could ever know. That might not have happened if there weren't stories to cover and share with all of you.
To be sure there is laughter and tears that go with every article because these people become like family. I celebrate or hurt over the things that happen in their lives. I am educated every day about things and facts that may or may not be important, but they are fascinating. The richness of one’s life lives in the memories or moments we might have forgotten.
You don't have to go around the world to find people whose lives you can share. They may live next door, around the corner, or across the road. They are there. You may not know them, but maybe you do. It doesn't matter.
I met a stranger. He was having a bad day. Phantom feelings – thought it had been from ages away. I could sympathize. Sometimes it is enough to talk about it, and we shared a moment together. Sometimes misery needs company.
I saw a little old lady, fragile and stooped. I asked her if I could give her a hug. She gave me a toothless smile and said, "Of course you can." We hugged twice and shared a moment of the day. She came away happier, and so did I. I saw her later and she smiled. It was priceless and didn't cost a thing.
I was listening to the radio. A lady called in, inquiring if they still make 7-Up candy bars. It began a search for information. The 7-Up candy bar was bought out by the Seven Up bottling company for less confusion years ago, but is still being made in a lesser form and can be bought through an antique candy company.
A number of men called in eager to share the information they knew, including information about a huge yellow building in the area of Jordon and Belle Plaine.
What was sweet? They were happy and enthused to share their knowledge and information for others.
How many people enjoyed the day!
Show others they are loved. Help each other to be thankful. Know you are loved because to love yourself is to love others. Be generous with hugs and kisses. Try new things but relish the old things too. Be happy. Show compassion. Be grateful. Dream big. Respect one another. Laugh out loud.
It is a proven fact that at least five minutes of genuine laughter a day is crucial to your wellbeing.
I went to get a haircut. My friend Bev had a booklet in the shop that my mother found while she was waiting her turn. The booklet was about interesting facts about 1941. Bev explained that 1941 was the year her husband was born.
I had a grocery list in mind: Thanksgiving dinner, of course.
Seventy-three years of cost of living. Compare if you dare.
The average income was $1,777 per year. A new house cost $4,075.00, while the average cost to rent a place to live was $32 a month.
A new car cost $850 and tuition to Harvard was $420 per year.
Gasoline was 12 cents a gallon, a movie ticket was 30 cents per person and a United States stamp cost 3 cents.
Ten pounds of sugar cost 59 cents, a gallon of vitamin D milk was 54 cents, a pound of coffee was 45 cents, a pound of bacon was 42 cents, a dozen eggs cost 20 cents, fresh ground hamburger was 20 cents a pound and a pound loaf of bread was 8 cents a loaf.
The best things in life are still 100% free. They are the people we love, the places we've been and the memories we've made along the way.
Make someone happy. Be nice. Try gratitude as an attitude, and you'll have even more blessings to count.
This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:
• Thursday, November 27th: Jack Kuchenbecker, Kyle Goslee, Olivia Rae Kohn, Paul Kasper, Cyrstal Spurr, Mike Draayer, Lorna Berg, Sandra Tonsing
• Friday, November 28th: Quinn Lauren Wayne, Vicki Peterson, Jackie & Scott Miller
• Saturday, November 29th: Connie Smith, Dean Peterson, Emily Butler, La Vonna Ruhl, Christy & Tim Berry, Pastor Carrie & Dan McElfresh
• Sunday, November 30th: Dan Mrotz, Lindsey Hagen, Lindsey Schlaak, Sophia Jepson, Eric Knudson, Norell Wood, Kellen Utpadel, David & Lizell Swearingen, Andy & Emily Butler
• Monday, December 1st: Ethan Elliot Marzoff, Kyle Anthony Neidermeier, Jim Cornelius, Brian Waage, Laurie Ellis, Teri Horan Finke, Barbara Wangsness
• Tuesday, December 2nd: Maryalice Hanson, Liam William Philip Abbott, Allura Danon Johnson, Leah Wayne, Allura Danon Johnson, Paige Sorenson, Lyle Paulson, Jean Richards Worrell, Helen Sawyer, Heidi Wangsness, Heather Peterson, Dale Schewe
• Wednesday, December 3rd: Eric Degan, Ethan Fletcher Cornelius, Brian Van Ravenhorst
May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day. Thanksgiving and every day are days for giving thanks.
