Dennis Norwood: Through The Lens

A Photographer Gives Thanks

  • Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Dennis Norwood
Dennis Norwood

As a photographer I am usually looking at life through the lens of my camera. As we rapidly approach Thanksgiving 2015, please allow me, if you will, an opportunity to look at life through a different lens. With apologies to my colleagues, Roy Exum and John Hunt, who always pen such wonderful words of thanks at this time of year, please allow me to add my list of things for which I am grateful this Thanksgiving:

 

- First off, I am thankful that I serve a living Savior, who loved me so much He gave His life for my sins.

I’ll follow that up with thanks that I live in a country that allows me and others to worship how we desire.


- On a very personal note, I am so very thankful for a woman who has shown me the joy and realization of what true love really is and the happiness it produces. I love you Gail Petty.
- I give thanks for a son and daughter-in-law who love one another madly and are the best parents I could ever want for my grandchildren. Jonathan and Beki, thank you. so very much.
- For my son, Ben, who is serving our country in the Air Force.


- For a Christian mother who raised my sister and me, mostly as a single mom. She has loved me unconditionally and sacrificed so many times for me I can't begin to count the instances   Thank you, mom, for being the constant in my life.

- For a step-dad who truly loves the Lord and my mom. He makes our family complete  

 

- For the opportunity to photograph young people having fun, playing the sports they love and capturing memories for them and their parents and families.

- For the chance to capture history as it happens.
- For colleagues like John Hunt, Larry Fleming, Greg and Sara Davick, Jenny Belz-Gienapp, Jaime Barrett, Tim Evearitt, Mike Locke, Wes Schulze, Gail Perry and a boss like John Wilson who are all so talented at what they do and make The Chattanoogan.com the best news source in town!

- For the great folks at the Canon Camera Repair Center in Virginia.
- For Roy Exum who gave a young, inexperienced kid his first opportunity and taste of a vocation that has seemed less like a job and more like fun for all these 40-plus years. Thanks, al\so, for his prodding me to finish my Bachelors Degree.

 

- For my pastor, Tony Walliser, who is a wonderful shepherd and, without-a-doubt, listens to the Lord when it comes to leading Silverdale Baptist Church.

- For an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins who have made my life a wonderful experience.
- For so many good friends that I can't begin to name them all.


- For the opportunity and privilege to have served our great nation for over 20 years in the best Air Force in the world.

- For those who serve in our military around the world today, protecting us from those who would harm our nation.

- For those who gave their lives or came home wounded in our defense.

 

- For my army of doctors who take such great care of me – Drs. Frank Chandler, Dianne Roland, Marty Scheinberg, Joshua Willis, Cynthia Eby and Ravi Chandar.

- For the wonderful nurses in the CICU at Parkridge Hospital.

- For the VA Medical Center here in Chattanooga.


- For the men and women of the Chattanooga Police Department, with whom I had the honor of working with for five years, and for Chief Fred Fletcher who is doing a wonderful job leading these brave, servant warriors in protecting our great city.
- For Officer Dennis Pedigo who took a bullet to protect us from evil and for my friend, Lieutenant Craig Joel who has meant so much to me and many others for many years..


- For my friend Kevin West who gave me a small taste of being "on the radio" and for all my friends at Talk Radio 102.3 – Jim Reynolds, Jeff Styles, Bill B. Lockhart and all the rest who are the best in the business!

- For coaches like Rick Rogers, Jon Massey, Walter McGary, Wayne Turner, Al Rogers, Lynn Murdock, Larry Fleming and others who have spent their careers not just producing great teams, but molding young men and women into those young adults who are positive contributions to our communities.
- For my friend Bill Mitchell at WDEF, a true professional and gentleman.
- For attorney friends like Cary and Scott King and Clancy Covert who are all three good men and great lawyers.


- For my scoutmaster, the late N.G. Carter, who guided me to becoming an Eagle Scout and a man of whom I hope he would be proud.  N.G. was a hero to so many young boys that he helped through good and bad times. His care and concern went so much further than just scouting. The world today needs more men like N.G.


- And finally, for that delicious turkey dinner I will sit down to with my family and loved ones on a day on which we will all gather to give thanks for all that God has given us. When you sit down for that meal, wherever you might be, please, offer a prayer for all our deployed military members, our first responders, and those who might be going through tough times.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends, and God bless!

(Dennis Norwood is a staff photographer and reporter for The Chattanoogan.com. He can be contacted at sportsshooter614@gmail.com and can be followed on Twitter at @DennisENorwood)

Latest Headlines
Sports
Chattanooga Women Third At Spring Break Shootout
  • 3/18/2024

The Chattanooga Mocs got off to a solid start at the Spring Break Shootout. The ladies are 4 under on Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club’s South Course carding 280 over the opening 18 and 284 ... more

Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
Sweetwater's Keke Norfolk Signs With Cleveland State
  • 3/18/2024

Keke Norfolk of Sweetwater High School signed a National Letter of Intent with the Cleveland State women’s basketball team this past week. Norfolk a 5’9” guard/forward, becomes the first signee ... more

Vol Baseball Win Streak Ends At 17 At Alabama
  • 3/18/2024

No. 5/5 Tennessee's 17-game winning streak came to an end with a 6-3 loss to No. 12/14 Alabama on Saturday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide (16-3, 1-1 SEC) ... more