Plenty of reasons to be thankful

There are so many reasons for each of us to be thankful as we prepare to gather with our families for our Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Sometimes we take some of the 'little things' for granted and I would just like to remind myself that I am blessed and need to be very thankful that my clothes fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

I'm thankful for all of the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have still have freedom of speech.

I'm thankful for that space that I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking, even if it is a little slow with my two replaced knees.

I'm also thankful for my electric bill because it means I am warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

I'm thankful for piles of laundry that sometimes accumulate because it means I have clothes to wear.

I'm thankful when the alarm goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive and ready to embark on new day.

I'm thankful for difficult times because during those times you grow.

I'm thankful for all of my personal limitations, because it gives me plenty of opportunities for improvement.

I'm thankful for each new challenge, because it builds my strength and character.

I'm thankful for my mistakes and shortcomings because they me teach valuable lessons.

I'm thankful for the best job in the world that provides me with so much satisfaction and personal gratitude in doing this gig we call newspapering.

I'm thankful for all of my loyal readers -- even those who don't like what I write every day.

Most of all I'm thankful for a wonderful God who loves me, protects me, comforts me and guides me each and every day.

I'm also especially thankful for a loving wife, a wonderful family and growing grandkids, who are all healthy and full of so many joys.

In short, I am thankful because life is good and I'm blessed.

While we're talking about being thankful, I'm thankful that my family has again allowed me the honor of preparing our Thanksgiving Day turkey and dressing.

We're doing cornbread dressing this year for the first time and I'm hoping it turns out without a hitch.

Baking a turkey is always an adventure for me.

I know to follow the 'easy to understand' directions and with one of those pop-up timer gizmos, it ought to be easy.

But sometimes, Murphy's Law kicks in and anything that can go wrong does -- like the year that our Thanksgiving Dinner was delayed when I broke off my dual ignition/trunk key and the turkey was locked in the trunk of my car.

This year I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the 'baked bird' will be finger-licking yummy.

But if I burn the gobbler, there are still plenty of reasons to be thankful that the holiday bird is actually burnt:

*No one will overeat.

*Uninvited guests will think twice before showing up next year.

*Salmonella poisoning won't be a concern.

*Pets won't bother to pester me for table scraps.

*Carving the big blackened bird will provide a good cardiovascular workout.

*We all will get to the scrumptious sweet desserts much quicker.

*After dinner, all the guys can take the bird to the yard and play football with it.

*I won't have to face two weeks of dreadful left-over turkey sandwiches.

Have a great Thanksgiving Day holiday!

Nick is assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487; by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages....