The late Furman Bisher, sports editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, wrote thousands of columns, some of them great! No column of his, though, was more appreciated and anticipated than his annual Thanksgiving column. In it he wrote of all sorts of things for which he was thankful. With credit given, here are a few things for which I am thankful.

I’m thankful that another year has come and gone and I have been a part of it. There were some good days and bad ones, but the good ones outnumber the bad by such a tremendously large percentage that I’m doubly thankful for this year.

I’m thankful for the forgiveness of sins. I have really needed that and I must add not only this year, but past and future ones. God is great all the time. All the time, God is great!

I’m thankful for Donna Sue. She is one of a kind and God knew what He was doing when He blessed me with her. I only hope she knows that just because I am away from her so much, doing the kind of work that I do, does not mean I don’t love her with all my heart.

I’m thankful for Donna Sue’s mother, Emma Lou, and hope she knows what a great blessing she is to our home.

I’m thankful for my parents, both still living; unusual for one as old as I. My brother and sister realize that we could not have been blessed more.

I’m thankful for my daughter and her family and wish that I could see them more often, but believe in the old saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

I’m thankful for churches; all churches that proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I must add that I am thankful for the two that I serve. They really “put up” with a lot!

I’m thankful for people who work so hard at their jobs and how they pay their bills, their taxes, contribute to their community, and love this country. I wish we had more like them,

I’m thankful for covered dish lunches and dinners. I’m not so sure I appreciate the Apostle Paul’s verse in Romans that begins “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating…” I also am thankful that I am not so dumb as to enumerate those dishes I like best. Wouldn’t want Miss Susie to know that I did not eat her casserole!

I’m thankful for families who have lost loved ones, yet appreciate the blessings of having them for the time they did. And that they will see them again, praise God.

I’m thankful for rain on a day like today and am glad that I don’t have to say when and how much. That’s above my pay grade.

I’m thankful for sweet corn or field corn. Glad I know the difference and how to cook both.

I’m thankful for ripe tomatoes on the vine; watermelons too. I’m thankful for peas and peppers, peanuts to boil and farmers who allow me access to all those goodies.

I’m thankful for parents who come to church with their children and couples who still want to get married.

And, finally, only because of limited space I stop, I am thankful for The Post-Searchlight giving me the opportunity to write and for every person who comes up and says, “I read your column every week.” I promise you: I don’t take either for granted. Happy Thanksgiving!