Leonard at large

There are many things that could be discussed at this time, but it is important to stop and give thought to a special national holiday that is being observed this week. We have been blessed with a great amount, and yet we seem to take it for granted.

Am I wrong? Didn't we put emphasis on Thanksgiving when we were in school and learn of why we observe it, and its importance of it in history? Hasn't it been only in the recent years that this special holiday seems to get left out? Still, Thanksgiving is the time for families to get together, give thanks, and to feast. In some cases, because of distance, people get together with friends or invite someone that may not have anyone else to come to their home for dinner. It certainly is a time to give thanks for the "harvest" and to celebrate.

Diane Olson is director of Promotion and Education for Missouri Farm Bureau.

She served as child and development specialist and was headquarter in Cedar County and is a former co-worker of mine. When I saw the Farm Bureau column in last Thursday 's issue of the Nevada Daily Mail was written by Diane, I paid special attention to what she wrote.

The title of the column was "Let's count our blessings before the season of giving." Diane said, "I personally think the Thanksgiving holiday doesn't get its fair share of recognition." I fully agree with her. Many make a big effort to decorate for Halloween and after that event, we immediately start seeing decorations for Christmas.

(Everyone to their own thing -- I, for one, am glad when Christmas season gets here to see the decorations. One lady told me recently that she did not agree with people who decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but I was told the other day that I am behind, because I do not have my decorations up. Well, I might get them up this weekend. I understand it is going to warm up some. If it is as cold as it was last Sunday, I may never get them up -- except, perhaps, for placing some of them on the bushes in front of the house.)

Traditionally, observance of Thanksgiving is a time for families to gather, but there are many that will not have this opportunity. We especially think about the military families where they are apart from one another.

When we start thinking about our blessings, there are many. It is good to give some thought about these many blessings and start naming them and the list has a potential of going on and on. For instance, one of the first things I think about is being thankful for family and for friends. I am thankful for you as readers and the nice comments many of you make and the encouragement that you give to me. I am thankful for this community, that I have an opportunity to live in this community, and to be a part of it. This is a start of many things that could be said and need to be said.

A special thanks is for the men and women that are serving in our military and for their families that are also making sacrifices. During World War II, we all remembered Pearl Harbor. I am afraid that our citizens have forgotten about Sept. 11, 2001. We lost more lives in that event than we did at Pearl Harbor.

We were attacked and as result we are at a war far different than any others. We need to be appreciative of what these people are doing to protect our freedom and to let them know that we are grateful to them. They are laying their lives on the line.

That one event also helped us to realize the importance of the firemen, police personnel, and others that put their lives on the line everyday for us as a society. We need to do more to show our appreciation to all of these great people and to realize they are among our blessings.

This week I visited with Dr. Inez Byer, Cottey College Professor of Philosophy, Retired. While discussing Thanksgiving, she commented that Thanksgiving should be every day, and I agree with her. She said that the first thing is to thank God for spiritual life.

Every time someone does something good for you, give thanks to both them and God -- they are reflecting God when they do something good for you. It adds to life to express thank you. When someone thank you for something that you do it renews life.

It means something to people when they are thanked for what they have done.

When I asked one person what Thanksgiving means, she said by showing gestures with her arms and hands, "Overflowing with blessings." Then she told me not to use her name. She rather wrapped it all up, because when you really think about it, we are overflowing with blessings.

Thanksgiving -- a National Holiday -- is a special day with all of the traditions of being with family, feasting, and watching football.

I understand that I will have much to eat and one of the special treats expected is sugar free mince meat pie.

No one else seems to like the mince meat pie except me and I consider that as a tradition for the feast -- too bad that I have to eat the whole thing by myself. It will be included in some of the leftovers that I will get to eat and I will enjoy every bite. It will be real mince meat -- not just mince that you buy that is label mince meat..

I am grateful and thankful to God for everything.

May each of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.