Thankful for Friday Nights at the Stadium

In between the chaos of a new school year starting and the increased number of activities I once again have to attend, it dawned on me as I rested for a few minutes this past weekend just how fortunate I am.

It’s human nature to dwell on what we don’t have. I’m no different. I long for more material things in life and wish the things which caused me stress would magically disappear.

Yet, in the grand scheme of things, I have always been blessed and I try to remind myself of that fact, even when my frame of mind wants to dwell on the negative.

A tradition of mine is to offer thanks in one of my columns and I feel it is that time again. We shouldn’t focus on being thankful at Thanksgiving or when something good happens. We should also take time, I believe, to stop and let it sink in just how much we do have.

With that in mind, on this summer day (it’s still summer never mind the fact students have been back for days now) I am thankful for:

• anything to do with the 1980s, the greatest decade of all time;

• a pair of comfortable shoes (even more important now that I have taken up walking);

• the times my routine blood work shows improvement in at least one or two areas;

• high school football on a Friday night at the local stadium, any local stadium;

• pro games on the radio. Watching on television is obviously better, but when I happen to be in the car, I still enjoy listening to the Braves and even the Falcons;

• memories of listening to Falcon broadcasts with Larry Munson calling the action. He will always be tied with the University of Georgia, but those late 80/early 90 seasons were memorable with him calling the Falcons as well;

• local coaches whose roles go far beyond that of teaching their respective sport;

• those people who, like me, still like reading a newspaper by holding it in your hands, flipping it page by page and learning something new. I know the numbers continue to dwindle each day, but this is the way newspapers were meant to be read — not on a computer screen and certainly not on a phone;

• memories of growing up with all four grandparents as a major influence;

• good friends who are there for you day in and day out. Friendship can be a funny thing. Like many I suppose, I’ve been burned by my loyalty to some “friends” in the past but in recent months I have truly been blessed in the friend department.

We have many “associates” and while they have their place as well, honest-to-goodness friends are rare. Very rare. They are as valuable as gold and if you are fortunate enough to have some who are in this category, be thankful for them every day;

• the NFL broadcasting team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, the new version of Summerall and Madden;

• the times when I see someone buying the paper you are reading on Wednesday evenings, not long after they have been put in a newspaper box or store.

To know what you are doing is appreciated makes the battle worth it;

• the fact vinyl seems to be making a comeback in the world of music, even if in a limited basis.

• the college football fan who doesn’t deem it necessary to get drunk on game day;

• people who took the time to vote recently. I don’t care who you voted for, just the fact you took part in this most American of processes is a great thing;

• the high school student today who doesn’t feel it necessary to call me “sir;”

• the political candidates who have taken their signs down now that their run for office is over. Let’s see just how many of them stay up weeks, months from now.

Monticello native Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal in Winder. He welcomes feedback from readers of The Monticello News at cbridges@barrowjournal.com.