This is the time of year we give extra attention to the many reasons to be thankful. No one questions the enormity of our celebration of Thanksgiving as families travel long and short distances to be together for a few hours.

In keeping with the position that it is the little or often unseen things making life a rich experience for which we can be thankful, I am listing a few — and certainly not all — things for which I am thankful.

- I am thankful for children, of whatever age, who give their time, presence, and conversa-tion with aged parents and grandparents. It is a blessing to those older in years and will mean more to children than they can imagine when they look back after their parents are gone from life. These gifts to those older bring joy and are far more valuable than any that could be given.

- I am thankful for the 57-year reunion of my CHS graduating class of 1952 at Jim Lay’s home back in September. Time and distance has taken us far and in different directions. Our number has diminished but the enthusiasm and warmth with which we see each other each time is a matter to thrill the heart.

- I am thankful that God has blessed America. I pray He will continue to bless us. At the same time, may we realize no country or government has maintained prosperity and promi-nence throughout their history.

- I am thankful for the enthusiasm and warmth manifested by young people who are meet-ing for a 10, 20 or 30-year class reunion of whatever school. I always feel like they were in school only a couple of years ago. I hope they always keep in touch.

- I am thankful for Frank Walraven’s life. The satisfaction and joy he received from the very simple things of life demonstrated happiness and contentment can be found outside the realm of the big events and great possessions. The respect and honor bestowed upon him at his passing indicated the impact his life made on so many in so many different walks of life.

- I am thankful for news reports of young athletes from our schools in Calhoun and Gordon County receiving scholarships to attend college. These stories indicate not only great talent but a diligence in pursuing a fixed course toward a goal.

- I am thankful for those young people in the areas of academics and the arts receiving scholarships. They also have displayed a disciplined and diligent course in life.

- I am thankful for the excitement I hear in my grandson, Jared Mill’s, voice when he talks about his teaching and coaching duties in deep South Georgia with the Thomas County Cen-tral Schools. Our phone conversations early each morning during his drive from Tallahas-see, Fla., to Thomasville, Ga., are priceless.

- I am thankful for seeing athletes and students for the first time in decades and sharing warm and fond memories. I am thankful they even recognize me.

- I am thankful for all my teachers of past years. A foundation for study and learning was laid, from my six years at Belwood onto the old Calhoun Grammar School, then Calhoun High and two years at Florida Christian College, without which I would not enjoy these later years of life.

- I am thankful for my correspondence over the years whether pleasant or unpleasant I have long said I would not take a 100 thousand dollars for that correspondence.

- I am thankful, still, for those who don’t read between the lines something not explicitly stated. At the same time, I am thankful for those who often read between the lines and see a message intended for only one or two people, or maybe a whole group.

- I am thankful for all blessings of life, both spiritual and temporal. I am thankful to God who bountifully bestows these blessings upon His creation.

- I am thankful for ditches, creeks and rivers when they flow with an abundance of water. Since I was young, a stream flowing swiftly along the way has provided a thrill difficult to describe.

- I am thankful for county championships, unofficial as they might be, won by Calhoun High or Middle School, during the past 20 years.

- I am thankful for kids in Gordon County who have a place called home to which they can go each night. The recent news story of 10 percent of our kids being homeless is tragic.