"Please" and "thank you" were referred to as magic words when I was young.
Whenever we asked for something, we usually heard: "What's the magic word?" That was the adult prompting us to say "please." And then, we'd be reminded to say "thank you" upon receipt of the requested item.
This past week, many people have said "thank you" to veterans -- men and women who have served this country in the military.
Next week, we'll celebrate Thanksgiving and again take an opportunity to consider reasons to be grateful.
In a society that is far too self-absorbed, self-indulgent and comprised of many people who consider themselves to be self-made, it would do us all well to contemplate the reasons we have to be grateful and to whom.
None of us can make the sun to rise, squelch the rain, stop the wind. We are not responsible for the glowing colors of the sunrise, nor the brilliance of the stars visible at night. We might consider to whom to give thanks for these gifts.
The gift of life that includes sight, hearing, voice, breath are far too oft taken for granted by those who are blessed with health. But, spend time in a hospital or nursing home visiting with people who had, then lost any of those gifts and you might well find a reason to be grateful.
A dear friend's 31-year-old daughter has recently been diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. She has two young children. She is fighting the disease with every medical opportunity provided, but whether she'll see her sons grow up remains unknown. It makes me grateful for healthy children and grandchildren and being allowed to live to see them.
This Thanksgiving, consider reasons to give thanks. Tell your loved ones you appreciate them. Find a reason to be grateful and tell someone "thank you."
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Editor's note: Annette Beard is the managing editor of The Times of Northeast Benton County, chosen the best small weekly newspaper in Arkansas for five of the past six years. The opinions expressed are those of the author. She can be reached at [email protected].
Editorial on 11/15/2017