Thankful for Friends, Family, and Faith in 2020

What are you thankful for in 2020?

I know that’s a hard question to answer. This year, it seems easier to find plenty that we aren’t thankful for – the cancellation of events, the loss of jobs, and even the loss of a friend or loved one’s life.

We’ve all lost something this year. Sadly, some have lost more than others. Still, I think it’s important for us to refocus and find something to be thankful for.

FRIENDS

This year, be thankful for your friends. Even though you may not be able to see them because of the pandemic, cherish your time communicating with them over the phone. Get together if you can do so safely, and find ways to talk about something other than politics. Enjoy your time with the people you call your friends.

I’m hesitant to start naming my friends for fear that I’ll exclude them. Whether you meet your friends at work or through a hobby, think of them this Thanksgiving, and consider how they make your life richer.

FAMILY

This year, be thankful for your family – blood family or not.

I’ve got a hard-working father, a strong mother, a genius of a sister, and grandparents, aunts, and uncles who love me more than I could ever imagine. And I’ve got a number of other people whom I call my family. We don’t share a bloodline, and we didn’t hatch from the same family tree. But we’re kin just the same. I call them my “adopted” family.

When I think of my adopted family, I think of people like Wheeler and Betty Cobb. Wheeler was the first man who ever taught me how to work on old tractors, a skill that I’ve put to use a lot in my life – probably more so than my bank account would like me to. Wheeler and Betty have always treated me like their own, and they give me a hard time when I need one.

I think of people like Dayle and Janie McGaha. Dayle was the publisher of the Blackwell Journal-Tribune for many a year, and he is a real role-model to me in the field of newspapering. A good talk with Dayle lends lots of wisdom to this youngin’. Janie’s delicious cherry pies and sassy comebacks make every trip to their house worth the visit.

I think of Elmore Bathurst, who taught me how to agree to disagree with others. He’s spent a lot of his life in the political arena, advocating courageously for the rights of farmers and rural Americans. Though some of our other political views don’t always align, we learn things from one another. And we have a great time conversing, by golly!

I think of Jack and Linda Day. Jack gave me a .22 rifle for my 16th birthday, and it’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. And Linda – one of my many loves – has done some beautiful seamstress work for me. But I don’t go to their house to have buttons sewn on my coat. I go for the laughter and hugs. I think of Uncle Bob Lynch. We met at a tractor show in Pawnee three years ago, and since then, we’ve been family. Trips to his farm are filled with fun work on old tractors, good old-fashioned gospel singing, and laughs loud enough to be heard ‘round the world. Those are just a handful of the people I call my adopted family.

This list goes on and on – longer than I have room for on this page. This Thanksgiving, show some love to the people you call your family, and think about what you can do to foster more relationships like that in your life.

FAITH

As 2020 draws to a close, let’s all have a little faith that next year will be better.

We need some hope in 2021, and many people find hope in many different ways. Going into the New Year, let’s think about ways we can make 2021 better – and ways we can leave the past behind us.

This Thanksgiving, don’t let pessimism rule the day. There’s still much to be thankful for.