‘Let us, on the day set aside for this purpose, give thanks ot the Ruler of the universe for the strength which He has vouchsafed us to carry on our daily labors and for the hope that lives within us of the coming day when peace and the productive activities of peace shall reign on every continent.? ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt, Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, October 31, 1939
While your stomachs are well past being stuffed of turkey, potatoes, pumpkin pie and all the other delicousness that comes with a Thanksgiving feast, I wanted to weigh in on some thankful thoughts of my own.
First of all, I am thankful for the the life of Nicole Burton. Ever since her passing last month after her battle with acute lymphoblastic Leukemia she has been on my mind. I never knew her personally, but I saw her many times while I covered events at Lakeville Elementary. Every time I saw her she had a radiating smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye.
While many would argue that her time on earth here was too short, I would say the impact that she left on the lives of many, including my own will last many lifetimes to come. Despite all the trials and tribulations that came with her leukemia, Nicole found joy, happiness and hope beyond her condition and I believe with her childlike faith HOPE met her in life on the otherside.
Secondly, I am thankful for the Oxford and surrounding communities and organizations that took up Nicole’s cause and arranged the many fund-raisers to help the Burton family with the funeral expenses. I’d like to give a special shoutout to Lakeville Second grader, Keegan Wynn who took up the cause out of his own to help a fellow student who he didn’t know (see story on Page 5).
Finally, I would like to give a few personal thanks. I am thankful for my bosses at Sherman Publications who have blessed with a job that I love doing these past six years.Also to my many co-workers (both current and past) who I have had the pleasure of working with on daily basis.
I am thankful for the many men and women soldiers both foreign and domestic fight daily to preserve the many great freedoms and liberties we are afforded in this country.
I am thankful for my lovely and absolutely beautiful wife Noell, who has blessed me with her love. While we have shared both laughter and tears throughout this year we have found greater strength standing hand-in-hand together. Along with my wife, I am thankful for our son Konner, who’s little life of just over a year has brought many smiles, daily laughter and joy to our hearts.
For the rest of my family and friends, I am thankful for each of you and the different roles you’ve played in my life. Whether it was to talk to, lend a helping hand or just to hang-out and enjoy each other’s company I’m grateful for each of you.
Most of all I am thankful for God, who shows Himself to me in the daily details of life and whose mercy, grace and goodness is new every morning along with His steadfast love.
To all the many blessings in my life not mentioned I give thanks