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Thanksgiving: A time to show appreciation

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, it’s time to reflect on the meaning of the holiday and how it has impacted our lives.

When thinking about it, I automatically go to all of the people who have crossed my path over the years.

I am thankful for my son, Jamie, and other family members (those who have passed as well as those who are living).

I have also been blessed with numerous friends over the years. Of course, many are gone as well, but we still have the memories.

Others included on our friends list are neighbors and all of the people we have met and become friends with at our various hangouts.

I am thankful for the roof over our heads and our ability to choose how we want to live our lives.

I owe my extended friends list to all of the contacts I had when I was a full-time reporter and now even as a part-time columnist.

You can never have too many friends.

Health-wise, Jamie and I are hoping to change things around that part of our lives so we can be around a while longer… to meet even more friends. Hopefully, we can tackle some of our issues so that they can someday subside.

At the same time, we wish good health for our loved ones.

Oh, and I asked Jamie to make out his list of things for which he is thankful.

I should have known; I inadvertently left some things out.

Here is his list:

“No. 1, God, Jesus and life are the most basic things.”

This was followed by 2: family and friends; 3. Peanut, also known as Sunni (his newest cousin); 4. Memories of Hulk Hogan; 5. Memories of Ron Moody (my brother and his uncle who passed away in May; 7 on the list,. “Our freedoms”; 8. The veterans who have served and are currently serving our country; 9. Karaoke, pizza and ice cream (did I tell you he is a food fanatic?); and 10. Nice and warm weather. Oops, I left out number 6 (and I didn’t bribe him with anything). He wrote down, “Linda Moody’s love for her son.” I think my favorite child is a keeper.

We wish everyone a glorious Thanksgiving.

Jamie and I will be spending the day together. I once again I asked him what he wanted for the meal and he once again told me lasagna, so I guess that is what I will be preparing again. And, that’s okay. I may also make a couple of side dishes and hopefully find us a delicious pumpkin pie. We really don’t need it, but that’s how we will celebrate again this year.

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Jamie and I extend our condolences to the families and friends of: Scott Stahl, Becky Martin, Dennis Lecklider and Margaret Perkins.

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Please pray for Carol Paul, Ted McCabe, David Hiestand, Gary Knick, Kierra Reichert, Eddie Cline, Sharon Lapp, Terri Baker Buteau, Judy York, Jamie Moody, Roxie Thornhill, Sharon Miller, Allen Whittaker, Mike Hopkins, Don Rhoades, Jason Bowers, Dave Brewer, Clarence “Sam” Wilker, Chuck Cruze, Roan Brubaker, Vic Bothast, Tom Brewer, Todd Anderson, Dawn Dilworth, Carol Schuh, Sunni Jones, Eddie Anjos, Gloria Hodge, Ralph Byrd, Jeff Brocious, Norma Kretschmar, Beth Davis, Terry Overbay, Terry “T.A.” Anthony, Katie Cothran, Lynne Bruner Hinshaw, Tom Everhart, Donn Thornhill, Carissa Rodriguez, Kevin Christman, Ivan Christian, Roger Fleckenstein, Bob Jackson, Penny Hopkins, Sherry Lawrence, Evelyn Manning, Becky Shultz, Kevin Schlechty, Darla Printz Whittaker, Sandy Partin, Sandy Gunckle, Tonya Kelly, Robert Christman, Bob Christian, Linda Johnston, Terri Hunt, Patricia Maier, Ken Wombold, Dan Lockhart, Delores Beisner, Jodi Gilpin Snyder, Charlie Bulcher, Charlyee Severance, Justin Fritz, DeWayne Yohey, Katrina Hoening, Kara Didier, Carl Francis, Craig “Cheese” Thompson, Bridget Brown, Don DeBord, Otis Stewart, Slug Midlam, Bob Peters, Judy Collins, Carol Hemmerich, Roberta Hall, Kelly Kelch, Mike Mayse, Nikole Baldridge, Mark Lovejoy, Connie Stachler, Randy Heck, Ronnie Norton David Pretzman, Clinton Randall, Bruce Kaiser, Amanda Mote, Doug Whittington, Neal Gray, Randy Garrison, Kathy Gragorace, Donna Bixler, Cathy Melling and all others who are suffering from other life-altering illnesses.

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Happy birthday:

Nov. 25 to Karen Burkett and Dustin Schmidt.

Nov. 26 to Zhwanda Riffell, Bill Edwards, Sandy Bohman, Brad Freeman and Tim Harless.

Nov. 27 to Exzavier Moody, Charles Chapman, Linda Holden, Kara Didier, Harvey Hinshaw, Susan Castle, Rick Clear, Mindy Ward and Mike Appleman II.

Nov. 28 to Dan Schipfer, Jadilyn Snyder, Lara Brunner and Penny Palmer.

Nov. 29 to Jeff Shook, Jeff Lawson, and Phil Stutz.

Nov. 30 to Teresa Brewer-Wilson, Bill Klipstine, Janese Riegle, Linda Lore, Julie Thwaits, Kathy Wilker, Cindy Burns Moore, Micah Barga, Tess Osbourne, Jessi Worden Dave Brewer and Darcel Geus Brown.

Dec. 1 to Kim Dohme, Daisy Dirmeyer, Tammy Shook and Neil Schmidt..

Happy anniversary to Terry and Judy Pepple on Nov. 29; Ron and Beverly Stump and Don and Carolyn Waymire, all on Nov. 30; and Mike and Elaine Stump on Dec. 1.

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Think about it: “My Thanksgiving Wish” to-do list:

Count my blessings

Let go of what I can’t control

Practice kindness

Listen to my heart

Be thankful for what I have

Just breathe