Dennis Norwood: I Am Thankful

We have arrived at yet another Thanksgiving, having lived through some pretty tough times over the past 12 months. For some it may be a bit harder to be thankful this year. The price of holiday meal has gone up, the price of a tank of gas is higher than in the past and food, if you can find it on the shelf, is much higher in price than ever it has become harder for families to gather. With money tight and with supply chain challenges what they are; Christmas may not be looking as merry as in the past.

With all that staring us in the face I still have so much to be thankful for. Primary on that list is that I am thankful that my faith still remains strong. Regardless of what may befall us, I know that my God is still on the throne.

I went through some major surgery back in March and that left me with so much and so many to be thankful for. Bear with me as I list a few:

I am thankful for Doctors Patel and Katragunta, my surgeons and for Taylor Grimm my P.A. at Erlanger Neurosurgery. The Erlanger staff on the orthopedic surgery floor are tops, as well! I am also thankful for the wonderful folks at Siskin Rehabilitation. What an absolute treasure for the Chattanooga-area!

I am thankful for the providers at Siskin Outpatient in East Brainerd.  Steve Lake and Michael Anderton are the best in the business.

I give thanks for coaches like Mike Connor, Grant Reynolds, Lance Rorex and many others who see their jobs as much more than building a team, but are more concerned about developing outstanding young men who will become even more outstanding Christian husbands, fathers and leaders in our community.

I am thankful Phil Massey found a good fit at Chattanooga Christian School and for the success of his first Chargers football team.

I am thankful for parents like Patrick and Sherinda Hampton and for the family they have. I am also thankful for their son, Caleb, better known as “Champ.” He is the real deal – academically, athletically and just a good young man. I pray some college coach realizes that and signs him to national letter of intent. He is one of the finest Baylor school has ever known.

I continue to be thankful for the awesome folks at the Chattanooga VA Clinic.  They are some of the most caring and dedicated folks you’ll ever find.

I am thankful for the group of veterans I served with and remain in contact with all these 24 years after I hung up my Air Force blues. I am also thankful for all my fellow vets who have defended our country through all the wars and time of peace.

I am thankful for all our current military members and pray daily for their safety.

I am thankful for UTC professor Chris Dortch and the fine job he does preparing future generations of journalists and sports writers.

I am thankful for my friend Althea Hunt, who faithfully sends me a Veteran’s Day card every year.

I am thankful for my friend Dave Staley and his ever-present smile.

I am thankful for my former colleague, Joseph Dycus, now a sports reporter for the Bay Area News Group in California. I am so proud of him and know his future is oh so bright!

I am thankful for the friendship of James Beach. Beach is a Hall of Fame sports writer who is absolutely the best colleague one could ask for.

Even with all our current challenges, I am ever so thankful I live in the United States of America.

I am thankful for Ed Sunder, who provides The Chattanoogan.com with superb technical services.

I am thankful for Daniel McKee of Keller Williams. He was a pleasure to work with as we sold my mom’s house and got her into her new townhouse. I highly recommend Daniel, he is a wonderful, talented realtor, husband and father to a beautiful family.

I remain thankful for my church family at Silverdale Baptist and our pastor, Tony Walliser.

We recently lost a member of our family, my Uncle Bill. I am thankful for the life he lived and the example he set. There are none better than Bill Montgomery.

I am thankful for my wife’s cooking, maybe a little too thankful!

I am thankful for former Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger for his leadership and hard work to bring about a new state-of-the-art stadium for our beloved Lookouts.

I am thankful for the volunteers who put out almost 2,000 American flags in Ringgold each Memorial and Veteran’s day to honor our deceased Catoosa County veterans  It is so beautiful to see.

Speaking of Ringgold, I am thankful that Aunt Effie’s Restaurant has re-opened in its new location on Nashville Street. I love their meat and three.

I am thankful for a Chattanooga treasure, Earl Freudenberg. “Hey Earl” brings us great stories about our city’s history.

I am thankful for the success of Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. His brand of football was just what was needed on Rocky Top.

Along that same line, I am thankful for Vols’ quarterback Hendon Hooker. It is a tragedy his career was cut short before the end of the season, but I pray he recovers and goes on to a mega-successful career as a pro. He is the type of young man we can all wish our sons would emulate.

I am so thankful for my sons, Jonathan and Ben and for their successful careers and beautiful families.

I am also thankful for my “bonus” sons, Gary and Chris Petty. They are remarkable young men with awesome families.

I am thankful for my friend Lawson Whitaker and the wonderful photographs he takes.

I am thankful for my friend, Michael Locke. He provides beautiful photos to The Chattanoogan.com.

I am thankful for schools like Silverdale Baptist Academy, Chattanooga Christian and Grace Baptist for the education and character they instill in their students.

I am thankful for my colleague Jen Gienapp. She is an awesome editor and the brains behind our annual Prep Football Poll.

I am ever so thankful for Chukar’s Cherries in Seattle. I discovered the in the Pike Place Market a few years back and have continued to order their praline pecans and chocolate covered Rainier cherries. Yummee!

I am thankful for our seven grandkids.

I am thankful for the ability to still be working and for an employer like The Chattanoogan.com.

I am truly thankful for the knowledge that no matter what shape our country is in, God remains in control.

I am thankful for folks like my good friend Dave Drumm and his lovely wife, Linda. And for our “sister” Lisa Higdon. Friends like these make life all the better.

I am thankful that we still have mom with us.

I am thankful for all the pets I have had the joy of being “owned” by.

I am thankful for Ennis Kanter Freedom and the example of true patriotism he lives every day of his life.

I am thankful for coaches like Kelli Howard Smith, Curtis Blair, Drew Lyness, Jason Reuter  and Mike Wood. And for school principals like East Hamilton’s Brent Eller, Ooltewah Middle School’s Heidi Moses.

I am thankful that GPS’ Susan Crownover is enjoying her retirement and her grandbabies.

I am most especially thankful for my wife, Gail. She is truly an angel and I love her to the moon and back.

And finally, I am thankful for all the high school student-athletes who make my job so much fun and to you, our faithful readers. I wish you all the most happy Thanksgiving and the Merriest Christmas.

(Dennis Norwood is the Prep Sports Editor for The Chattanoogan.com; email him at dennisnorwood56@gmail.com, follow him on Twitter at @noogasportsdude)