Roy Exum: Why I Am Thankful 2016

I can’t remember the first time I did this but every Thanksgiving I make a list of the things for which I am thankful. The most famous from years back is “I AM THANKFUL the Pilgrims found a turkey instead of an opossum” but this is a lot of fun every year. Here we go ...

I AM THANKFUL that Steph Curry, whose string of 3-point shots in 157 straight games was snapped after he went 0-for-10 early this season, came out in the very next game and hit 13 “treys” for Golden State, an NBA record.

I AM THANKFUL for Colton Jumper, a Baylor graduate who played sparingly for Tennessee in the first three games this year, was the leading tackler as a linebacker in the next three. Once a thankless walk-on, the Lookout Mountain native was awarded a “battlefield promotion” last spring.

I AM THANKFUL for Judge David Bales, and for the way our other Sessions judges have taken many of his cases as he struggles with an illness.

I AM THANKFUL that after our community was shattered earlier this week by the school bus tragedy, I got the same chest-thumping pride I had in July last year when the greatest group of first responders in all of America conquered the challenge after our military heroes were gunned down. We have the best! And did you hear dozens of our doctors and nurses not assigned to Erlanger’s emergency effort had gathered before the first ambulance arrived!

I AM THANKFUL that in a nation supposedly struggling with racial problems, I saw a picture of predominately whites stretched outside the door at Blood Assurance. Why? Because every child on that bus is ours.

I AM THANKFUL for my tour of the Hamilton County jail and my inner vow to do any and everything I can to help my fellow man. “Hate the sin – love the sinner.” We are better – much better – than the catastrophe that has befallen Sheriff Jim Hammond and our Hamilton County leaders. Whose fault is it? Where do we point the blame? You’ll see the culprit in the mirror the next time you shave.

I AM THANKFUL for Jim Ford, a guy in Illinois who has the distasteful job of repossessing automobiles. The other day he had a pick-up but when he got here he saw an elderly couple. “My grandparents are gone but, you know, I could see them. I know what is going on. Their medications have doubled, tripled, and I know that. I know they were behind. That’s happening to everybody.” So Jim calls the bank, pays off the loan, and parked the car back in the garage.

I AM THANKFUL for Steve Gazaway, Eric Kleiman, Corey Hughes, J.C. Bowman, Rusty Criminger, Richard Waters, Linda Cagle, Vicki Ann Degler, Herb Levy Knowles, Kathryn Gal Ward, Brandy Bowman-Ruggiero, Mark Benson, Randy Reed and anyone else who is lucky enough to have a birthday on Nov. 24.

I AM THANKFUL for the United States of America. As the national news media pounced on the school bus tragedy, over 400 pizzas and much more food were ordered from individuals all across the country and delivered to the Erlanger Hospital emergency room.  “There was no way I could possibly have had any tears left but when I saw that stack …” said one Frances Nightingale. “Oh my God.”

I AM THANKFUL an alert technician had a radar gun on New York Yankees outfield Aaron Hicks this summer when he fielded a fly ball at the warning track. Hicks then crow-hopped a sensational throw to home plate to catch Oakland’s Danny Valencia who was trying to tag up from third. The double-play ended a bases-loaded chance for the A’s but the reason the crowd went berserk was because Hicks’ throw went 105 miles per hour – the fastest ever officially recorded in the majors.

I AM THANKFUL for the college professor in West Texas who, infuriated over the “quiet rooms” and “open space” that is now trendy with college liberals, sent a text to his students that said he didn’t care as much about their “feelings” as he did about what they learned. “Therefore, if any of you needs a hug you can make a 15-minute appointment with the department’s boa constrictor.” Thus far – no takers.

I AM THANKFUL Alex Ankar, who has Down syndrome but is the most lovable guy in Hixson, was chosen as Chattanooga’s “Man of the Year” after some despicable lout reported him to the health inspector. Alex helps his family run Ankar’s Hoagies and he is a priceless gem.

I AM THANKFUL that when Fethullah Uzumcuoglu (her real name) and Esra Polat were married in Kilis, Turkey, in August, they pooled every penny given to them to start their married life (a custom) they announced there would be no reception but, instead, those who wished could accompany the newlyweds to a Syrian refugee camp where they could eat with about 4,000 grateful people. “Seeing the happiness in the eyes of the children,” said the groom, “is just priceless to us. We started our journey to happiness by making others happy. That’s a great feeling.”

I AM THANKFUL Becca Stevens, the sensational Episcopal priest who attended Sewanee, is among the 10 finalists for CNN’s Hero of the Year. Becca is the one who started Thistle Farms, a company that makes bath and beauty products by giving good jobs and fresh starts to abused women. Today Thistle Farms products are sold in over 400 stores and is a million-dollar company … and there are five group homes around Nashville where women can kick-start their journey back into society. “For me, ‘love heals’ means that I take all these lofty ideas I have, and try to put them in practice where it means something: a place to sleep that’s safe, and a paycheck they can cash.”

I AM THANKFUL that after the Marines said they would retire the 1972 slogan, “The Few. The Proud. The  Marines.” some of our Leathernecks suggested, “We came, we saw, and then waited for three months before the lieutenant would admit he was lost.” Among other printable nominations were “Stacking bodies since 1775” and “Every Marine is a riflething.”

I AM THANKFUL for Mel Gibson and his movie, “Hacksaw Ridge,” which tells the unbelievable story of faith that propelled Desmond Doss to win the Medal of Honor. We must build a monument of a shrine to remember our greatest heroes like Charles Coolidge, Andrew Raiders, and so many others.

I AM THANKFUL that as I spend the first Thanksgiving at age 67 in my life, it’s not nearly as bad as I thought it would be 30 years ago.

I AM THANKFUL that when Christopher Dempsey, a former Marine in Illinois, heard about a girl who was suffering from stage four liver disease, he got himself tested and was a match. He gave her 50 percent of his liver. Months later she really wanted to meet him in person to thank him. Guess what – Christopher got his liver back! Yes, he and Heather Krueger were married this summer.

I AM THANKFUL to strongly refute the “sick” notion that the day after Thanksgiving is so named because it was a day in ancient times when slaves were sold. Sorry, but those who hate must know the term was born in 1951 by companies that required workers to be on the job the day after the holiday. So many would call in sick that some scamp said “This is worse than the Black Plague” and thus “Black Friday” was born.

I AM THANKFUL that when I saw two Hispanic gardeners blowing leaves in a seasonal photo on the front page of the newspaper under the caption, “Time To Leave,” I honestly do not have it in me to think of any racial connotation or immigrant issue. If you do, read your Bible much more. It was a timely picture and a good headline. Please, let’s move forward.

I AM THANKFUL that I received three emails from people concerned about the driver in the school bus tragedy. I am deeply touched by compassionate and caring people. (I believe the best course is to let everything settle, quieten down. Once you do that, smart people will respond accordingly but, it’s true, he has a devastated mother, too.

I AM THANKFUL the Dept. of Agriculture still has a chance to come down hard on those who sore and abuse Tennessee Walkers.

I AM THANKFUL when a junkyard dealer in eastern Spain couldn’t stop thieves from luring out his guard dogs out of the gate with freshly-cooked steaks, it was the steaks that gave him a fool-proof idea. The guy goes to the weekly bullfight, corrals the losers and nobody, but nobody, messes with mean bulls, most particularly at night.

I AM THANKFUL that I was in a Chattanooga doctor’s waiting room and got to witness an older man walk up to two different children and hand each of them a $2 bill. Their reactions were worst far more to Jim Fowler, a 12-month Santa Claus of a man who once repaired helicopters in the Viet Nam conflict. “I’ve been blessed so I can bless others,” he winked. How many $2 bills does he give away in, say, a month? “Not enough.”

I AM THANKFUL that when Bob McKamey celebrated his 50^th anniversary selling Toyota cars and trucks, the crowd at Capital Toyota was standing-room-only. “The first day I saw the car, I shut the door and it was solid – not tinny. That sold me,” he said. Some years later, he was able to trace that first car he ever sold and today has the 1965 Corolla on the floor of his dealership.

I AM THANKFUL for Kimberly Litman, who hates pumpkin pie, but makes one for a dear friend every Thanksgiving. “That’s just what friends do,” she explained with a smile.

I AM THANKFUL that I know Megan Johnson, who owns Johnson Audiology, bought a car this summer she will never drive I know who is driving it and I am assured no kind act ever goes unrewarded. Need hearing help? There is no equal to Megan and her staff … and, no, I hear just fine. Trust me, the back story here is simply magical.

I AM THANKFUL that the Ruth’s Chris steak house in Ann Arbor, Michigan, came up with the idea of offering a discount on any meal based on how many points Michigan scores against an opponent. Who would have ever thought the Wolverines would beat Rutgers 78-0! And UM’s 33 points over Illinois wasn’t much fun either.

LASTLY, I AM THANKFUL that I remember so many Thanksgivings and that this year, I am reminded more than ever of my blessings. We must never take our lives for granted – each of us has a purpose and its fun trying to find it.

royexum@aol.com