Attitude of gratitude essential

— Thanksgiving is nearly here and around the corner, will be Christmas. Christmas decorations are already being put up and advertisements for Christmas gifts are rampant.

But, let’s not forget Thanksgiving in the process.We have so very much for which to be thankful.

We take so much for granted. If we look beyond ourselves, beyond our little community, our county, our state, our nation, we would see how incredibly blessed we are.

If you arise, you’ve got more than some who can’t walk, who are bed-ridden.

You’re breathing, you’re walking, you can see, you can feel the cold air of autumn.

At the very moment you’re reading this, there is a parent grieving the loss of a child or a parent sitting by the bedside of a terminally-ill child. There are spouses lonely for the companion of their deceased spouse.

There are children mourning the loss or the abuse of a parent.

School teachers see situations every day that grieve them and complicate their ability to teach their students.

Christmas, in its truest sense, is grand. It’s a marvelous celebration of the incarnation of our Lord. But, today, especially in materialistic America, it’s been commercialized to the point that many have lost sight, if they every knew, of the true meaning.

Thanksgiving still seems more simple. We gather as families and friends, feast, give thanks and fellowship considering the blessings of the past year.

This weekend there will be a senior citizen dinner served by the good ladies of Beta Alpha Sorority.

There will be a community Thanksgiving service sponsored by the Ministerial Alliance. We are blessed with an abundance of churches in our community and our similarities far outweigh our differences.

We need to join together for the good for our community and one another.

“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity,” wrote St. Augustine.

We argue about far too much. There are people struggling just to live and we, who have an abundance of nearly everything, complain. Let us find unity and harmony. Let us extend charity.

The city Water Department employees are seeking donations for their gift baskets.

There is an angel tree in town for children who need items for Christmas. The Benton County Sheriff’s Office has placed barrels around town to collect food items for the food bank.

While we make our shopping lists for our feasts, let’s add a few items to give away to those in need. There is always someone who is in a worse situation than we are. Please find a way to give to others this season.

And, while you’re at it, make a list for things for which you’re grateful.

I’m grateful for:

◊life

◊health

◊a free society

◊democracy

◊good leaders

◊the comforts of the 21st century

◊a godly heritage

◊a mother who sacrificed her wants to raise my brothersand me

◊grandparents who loved me unconditionally

◊nine wonderful, whole, healthy children who are growing up to be fine, upstanding adults

◊three fantastic sons-in-law who love my daughters and are committed to them

◊a healthy grandson

◊a soon-to-be born grandson

◊a home

◊a operable vehicle

◊good health

◊a job

◊freedom to worship as we please

◊a peaceful friendly community in which to live

◊good teachers for my children

◊faithful friends

What about you? Consider the many things for which you’re grateful and find a way to let someone else know. Bless another person this holiday season by giving.

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Editor’s note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County. A native of Louisiana, she moved to this area in 1980.

She has nine children and one grandchild. She can be reached at [email protected].

Opinion, Pages 4 on 11/17/2010