Still Plenty to be Thankful For

We celebrated an important day earlier this week.

To many, it was about a day off from work and eating hot dogs and going swimming, be it in a pool or at the lake. However, there is so much more importance to July 4. Down deep, I think most Americans realize this.

To me, it’s always been a time to be thankful for what we have. Those little things which are easy to overlook as we become consumed with our daily routines, swept under a tidal wave of work, stress and responsibilities.

Yes, there are problems in our country. People are still out-of-work. The politicians still spend too much time blaming each other instead of trying to fix the problems that affect the common working man and working woman. Gasoline prices are still too high. Our country is still involved overseas in places it has no place being. (This one goes back to politicians.)

Yet, as another July 4 passes, I give thanks for:

•The fact that college football is about to start, even if the NFL may not be.

•The first few pages of a new book and the anticipation of what awaits within.

•A comfortable couch which has provided me with countless hours of quality nap time.

•A childhood from which I can draw positive memories.

•The fact that some people still enjoy reading a newspaper that comes from a printing press and not a computer screen. “Internet journalism” continues to be a blight on the industry for which I work in.

•A new presidential campaign season. Sports and politics have always been two of my favorite passions with television a close third.

•A great group of co-workers who help me make it through each week. It’s not always a given that you will like the people you work with. I consider my co-workers friends. You’ll have to ask them if they consider me as much.

•Overnight talk radio that doesn’t necessarily focus on politics. At some point even I need a break.

•Anyone who has spent even one day wearing a uniform in service to our country.

•Those who are elected, even at the local level, and don’t suddenly believe they don’t have to follow rules, regulations and the law.

•The times you hear from an old friend for the first time in years, decades even, on Facebook.

•The days I go home and the air conditioner is still working.

•The times I make it through with all the lights still green.

•A vehicle that is still going strong (knock on wood) after 200,000 miles.

•Our dog Katie, who continues to defy the Lords of Time at the age of 16.

•An afternoon thunderstorm which brings us much-needed rain.

•The person who calls to say they liked something in the paper rather than to say they disliked something in it.

•The “big time” radio station which still has an actual live person in it and not just the phantom radio monkey.

•The times when professional athletes didn’t make so many millions that they became warped in their sense of reality only to want more millions. It’s hard to believe now, but at one time professional football players had to work other jobs in the offseason to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the average fan goes years without a dime per hour raise, if he or she has a job at all.

•The weeks that go by without news of another bank failing.

•The fact that my biggest concern each morning is usually no greater than figuring out which shirt to wear.

Monticello native Chris Bridges is editor of the Barrow Journal in Winder. You can reach him at cbridges@barrowjournal.com