WALKER: Thanksgiving from Perry in 2015
For the big and the small, I have so much for which to be thankful. Let me share with you some of the things for which I am thankful while, hopefully, you think of some of yours.
I am thankful for:
Clean, safe and abundant drinking water. I listen to my Mama when she says to me, "Larry, so many people in our world don't have any clean water to drink." We do. Thanks.
Comfortable shoes and clean underwear. And to Janice and Mullis Brother's Cleaners who keep my clothes clean and ready to wear.
Aspirin. Metamucil. Neosporin. And, occasionally, a couple of Tums. I can just about make it with these miracles.
Having been born with two parents and four grandparents who loved and wanted the best for me. I won the lottery when I was born.
Shag, beach, country, big band, blues, church, gospel, bluegrass. Just about all music except opera. And, actually, some of it is OK (in small doses and not too often).
The temperature at about 50 degrees. A hunting companion that you like, respect and admire. Two good dogs. A kind and competent guide. Abundant birds. Lucky shooting. And, a wonderful country meal waiting when the shooting is over. It's hard to beat a day like that.
Aging. Mellowing. Forgiveness received. Forgiveness given. Renewing and rekindling old friendships. Longevity of life. Good health. Still, a good mind. Meaningful work. A family of whom you are proud and that loves you.
A mother who is 95 years of age with a bright outlook and a great spirit.
The Dawgs coming out of the tunnel in Sanford Stadium on a postcard autumn day in Athens. And, living long enough to know it can be good and positive even though you don't win 'em all.
The South finally being back in the Union — and, many times, leading the Union.
Memories of Papa, Grandbuddy, Grandma, Granny and Daddy. I think about all five of them almost every day.
Fishing at Cedar Key on Yellow's boat with Mr. Hilt, Seabie and Billy and still remembering what they said and did.
Knowing how life used to be. Let me give two examples. Grandma's wash pot. I call it Grandma's because she washed the clothes in it. And they made soap and hominy in the wash pot. I think they used the potash to help make the soap.
Also, Papa's bell. It would let the "hands" and the mules know it was time for dinner (the main meal in the middle of the day), although the mules didn't need a bell. They'd just stop pulling and, despite all efforts, you couldn't get them to plow anymore until dinner time was up. The bell was also used, when wrung loudly and for a long time, to signal trouble and that the men needed to come from the fields. I am glad that I learned about Grandma's wash pot and Papa's bell.
The "feed store" and Mr. Glea, Mr. Ed and Joe, and all that they taught me.
The summer of '63 and the time I had with Do-Tricks, Jerry and Bobby. I think of them every day. What a time we had in Fort Worth, Texas, and at Texas Steel Company on Hemphill Street.
Our wonderful dogs. All of them were good, but Blackie, Governor, Georgia, Tux and the two that are still here, Hershey and Cloe, stick out. And, for learning that dogs are a lot smarter than I used to think they were.
Our church, Perry United Methodist, and so many others, of all kinds of faiths, who have done and do so much. And, for the forefather's guarantee of freedom of religion.
Pickup trucks. Baseball caps. Boots. Pocket knives. Marbles. BB guns. Rods and spinner reels and 28 gauge O/U shotguns and high brass shells. Maypops. Dirt roads. Bream on the bed. Large-mouth bass that could swallow a softball.
The success of the Ag Center and all the young lives that have been enhanced by this wonderful facility. It has exceeded all expectations.
Quiet workers for good: Frank Shelton, Gayle Borah, Melvin Kruger, Dicky Erwin, Jean and Ronnie Bennett, Dink NeSmith, Skeet Hulbert, Roland Fall, Bob Messer and thousands more right here in Middle Georgia. God's angels sometimes take unusual forms.
Learning in adversity, a new love and appreciation for David, Lynda and Charles. I want them with me, and in my fox holes, for as long as I live.
Well, I'm just getting started, and I'm out of space. We who live in this wonderful country all have so much for which we should be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving 2015.
Larry Walker is a practicing attorney in Perry. He served 32 years in the Georgia General Assembly and presently serves on the University System of Georgia Board of Regents. Email: lwalker@whgmlaw.com.
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 2:33 PM with the headline "WALKER: Thanksgiving from Perry in 2015 ."