This past Thursday, we sat down at tables filled with food we usually don’t see any other time of year. Turkey, ham, cakes and pies and all the trimmings are the meal that most celebrants enjoy with family and friends on this special day.
The more I thought about Thanksgiving and all I have to be thankful for, the more thoughts and special memories and miracles that have occurred cropped up in my mind that gives the day special meaning for me.
Where do I start? Here I sit tapping out a column, one that I’ve done every week for the past 53-plus years. I’m thankful that with 88 years under my belt, I still have the ability to do that which I love. I still look forward to being able to string words together that make a modicum of sense, a gift that the Good Lord gave me.
I think of the family I’ve been blessed to have around me. My wife, Kay Lynn, is to me everything I could ask for in a life mate. Her inward strength, her strong Christian faith, her taking the lead in making our home a nice and quiet place to wake up to every morning is invaluable to me and I hope and pray I never take all she does for granted.
I’m thankful for my two daughters, Cathy and Kayla. Both are married with families of their own who live away; Cathy in Baton Rouge and Kayla in O’Fallon, Missouri. Cathy is a quiet pillar of strength as she and husband, Bill, are caretakers of Billy, their autistic son. I can’t imagine anyone else with the love and patience for a special child these two have toward Billy.
Kayla, the younger of the two, is mother to four and grandmother to six. Almost two years ago, her loss of weight and overall feeling sick sent her to the doctor for a diagnosis that set the whole family on its heels. She was diagnosed with metastatic cancer that had invaded several organs in her body. Without chemo, she was given one month to live.
Last week, she and husband Keith came for a visit with us, the first time we had seen her since her diagnosis. With the help of a team of doctors that took her under their wings and lots of prayers from all over, she is virtually cancer-free today. What a blessing it was to be able to see her, hug her and marvel at the walking miracle she is today.
Then there’s my “bonus” daughter. When Kay and I married 41 years ago, she brought along 10-year-old Melissa. I became her “Pop” and what a genuine pleasure it has been to be surrogate dad to this little blond bundle. Melissa is married to Ross and they have three daughters. I was there each time their dad brought them down the hall at the hospital to introduce us to them. I’ve been their “Papaw” ever since they could mouth the word and they are as precious to me as my other grandchildren.
As for me, the years have added some challenges I have to face. Back and leg issues mean that to walk, a cane and walker are constant companions. The things I had always enjoyed and were such a vital part of my life, hunting and fishing, are now fading memories.
I have had several friends offer to take me to a deer stand, set me up and if I got a deer, they would take care of it for me; I wouldn’t have to do a thing. As much as I appreciate the gestures, I have declined each time because my mind set is that if I can’t do it like I always did earlier, I am content to rely on my memories of the success and enjoyment I have had.
Glancing up at the antlers and turkey beards and spurs hanging on my wall while I’m writing about someone downing a nice buck or boss gobbler are memories that are almost as nice as being there myself.
What a trip it has been and continues to be.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com