I've been writing for the folks at
chattanoogan.com for more than twelve years now and every year around Thanksgiving, I've always written about the things I'm thankful for. Among them is always the fact that I'm still writing for them. There are things I'm thankful for every year and a few new things also pop up each Thanksgiving.
Here's my 2023 list.
I am thankful for the Thanksgiving holiday and the opportunity to gather with family each November. It doesn't matter if it's actually on Thanksgiving day or the week before, It's still Thanksgiving.
I'm thankful for all the members of my family....from my immediate family to extended family on all sides. I love them all.
I'm not thankful for Ankylosing Spondylitis, the disease that I was diagnosed with over a year ago....but I am thankful for the perspective this awful disease has given me.
I am thankful for my love of sports....something I hope will never fade away.
I am thankful for the Boyd-Buchanan School. It was a " Rare and Special Place " my first time through with my son more than twenty-five years ago. And it's even more rare and special today for my grandchildren.
I am thankful for the school allowing me to broadcast the Bucs' football games on WFLI radio. The 2023 season marked my 55th year as a broadcaster.
I am thankful that my oldest grandson will get an opportunity to dress out with the high school varsity next week when the Buccaneers play for a state championship at Finley Stadium.
I am thankful for the fact that at age 72, I can still eat most of the things I like. The portions however are much less.
I am thankful for all of my old broadcasting buddies. I don't get to see them nearly as much as I want to so guys....let's have some more luncheons.
I am thankful for my alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University. I still love to go back there, though it's hard to recognize things because it's changed so much.
I am thankful for the three great mentors I've had in my life....the late Monte Hale, the late Bill Nash and the late John Ward. They are still so special to me.
I am thankful for the fact that my daddy taught me to be a Tennessee fan.
I am thankful that I am still a New York Yankees fan. My father had nothing to do with that....it's all on me.
I am thankful the powers that be in the city and county trusted me to serve on the " Sports Authority Board," overseeing the building of the new Lookouts' Stadium.
I am thankful for the mild winters we have here in the Tennessee Valley. The older I get, the less I can tolerate cold weather, though I would love to see a good snowfall every now and then.
I am thankful for my love of Country Music....Real Country Music.
I am thankful for the beautiful mountains that surround us.
I am thankful for the beautiful Dolly Parton and all she does for other people.
I am thankful for Facebook and the fact that it has allowed me to reconnect with friends I haven't seen since high school.
I am thankful that my wife Shelia waited on me to ask her out while I got the brakes fixed on my car 52 years ago.
I'm also thankful for the 50 years we've been married.
I'm thankful for the good soaking rain we received this week.
I am thankful for the high school speech teacher who told me, " Maybe you should try something other than speak in front of people. Some folks just aren't good at it."
Finally, I'm thankful for the love of my Savior Jesus Christ. Without him....I am nothing.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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