Even as the final firecracker has now sizzled out, I remain in a thankful frame of mind this week. It goes beyond the usual events associated with the July 4 holiday. While things like cookouts, swimming and summer fun in general are important (and I am thankful for each one), there is so much more to be thankful for.
What about our brave servicemen and servicemen women who were not home this July 4? How many stopped to think about them? We all talk about being thankful for them but how many of us really go the extra mile to show it?
With that in mind I pause to offer thanks and give you a variety of things — some serious and some not so serious — I am thankful for as the Georgia summer blazes on. Here are a view items I am thankful for:
•My safety after a fender bender occurred last weekend. The accident, which was not my fault as I was struck from behind, made me realize just how quickly things of this nature can happen and how thankful I am I have never been involved in anything serious. With the number of cars on the road these days, it’s a minor miracle really.
•Those who remember that the American flag is not meant to be mistreated. While I appreciate those who take the time to fly it, both at their residence or place of work, why it is that some allow our flag to become nothing more than a tattered piece of cloth? I’m not one who wears his patriotism on his sleeve, but honestly, if you can’t do any better than this, just don’t bother to fly the red, white and blue. I don’t know, maybe I do wear my patriotism on my sleeve afterall.
•Technology, even though I don’t take anywhere near full advantage of it. A new iPhone is about as advanced as I have been in years and I admit I still don’t know how everything works on it. I was texting (yes, I did finally learn how to text after years of being in the dark) our photographer Jessica Brown at 11 one night last week trying to figure out what happened to the sound on my new device. Jessica, who serves as my technology advisor for things associated with the year 2010, got me and the phone back on track after it had frustrated me to no end. While I have advanced in terms of phone technology, I still have no clue what this “Twilight” craze is about, but when the TV show I am currently watching was made in the 1950s, you probably understand why.
•Speaking of technology, Facebook is one of those things I am thankful for and that I do understand. I’ve been able to reconnect with many friends and associates — some of which I haven’t heard from in years — so this is one technological advance that surpasses its billing.
•A supportive family is something I couldn’t make it without. That support has allowed me to make my living in this field, fighting the battles which come up and being able to stay the course much longer than many who have started. Seventeen years is a long time but I feel a sense of accomplishment each week when a new paper is finished. This goes for my better half Pam who has never once, in the 15 years I’ve known her, complained about late hours or the demands of the profession.
•In addition to family, my support circle of Steve, Brandie and Jessica Brown is something I couldn’t do without. We have co-workers, acquaintances and associates, but only a few friends like this. Their support and encouragement and enthusiasm have kept me going when even I wasn’t sure I could continue on. You can’t even begin to put a price tag on friendship of this nature.
Chris Bridges is an editor with MainStreet Newspapers. You can contact him at chris@mainstreetnews.com.
