Untitled 1

I am thankful for a Lord and Savior that knows more than I do. I am grateful that I was taught to believe in myself but to always maintain humility. I learned a long time ago that I wasn't the smarted guy in the room. I am thankful for those rare days that I can play golf or ride the Harley on the backroads. Is there anything like waking up to the smell of bacon frying and coffee brewing? I am thankful to a grandmother who taught me the fundamentals of a kitchen and that anything cooked on a gas stove tastes better than anything prepared in the microwave. When I hear my kids raving over my scrambled cheese eggs, biscuits, cheese grits, and turkey bacon it gives me a reason to smile. I am grateful for the smell of chili slowly simmering on the stove and the sight of a Lodge iron skillet of hot corn bread begging for a pat of butter just out of the oven. I also love the smell of burning leaves and am still a kid when it comes to when it snows. I am thankful for the gift of conversation. Seems like the only way people are communicating these days is through email, Twitter, Facebook, or text message. When is the last time you just sat and talked to someone? I am grateful for when I see the sign outside a gas station that says that unleaded regular has dropped ten cents overnight and I'm sitting on less than a quarter of a tank. I kind of glad that Tallapoosa doesn't have gas stations that sell burritos, roach clips, and white merlot. My thankfulness for two healthy and happy little girls can not be measured. I am grateful for other children in my life. Neighbors Meghann and Braden "Bo Bo" Glaze who gleefully meet us when we pull up to the house. There is an almost two year old little boy that is the grandson of a life long friend named Carson Carr who could have torn up the site for the new CVS in an hour with a tea spoon, but he has the greatest disposition of any child I have ever seen. My prediction for Carson is that he will either be an electrical engineer, a member of Congress or a pit boss at a casino in Tunica. His grandmother is still the prettiest girl I ever saw. I am thankful for the Williams kids across the street who are students at Haralson County High School and always seem to be selling candles, cookies, calendars or something to help support the music programs at the school. I am grateful for my love of music that began at Tallapoosa Elementary School in the 5th grade when classmates Kay and Fay Allen, Beleta Smith, Melissa Smith, and I joined the school band at the urging of band director Rod Ferguson. I have to thank Johnny DeVere for teaching me how to play drum cadences and that music was fun. I love driving down the road and hearing a song on the radio that reminds me of good days gone by or of someone special. I am grateful that Tallapoosa has a radio station that plays the kind of music that I love. It is the kind of music that I've lived from time to time. If it weren't for Sue Muse telling me the merits of Country music in my first year of radio I might not have known George Jones, Dolly Parton, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, Chet Atkins, Randy Travis and Merle Haggard through my career in radio. I am thankful for the sound of Eli Gold's voice over my radio speakers shouting "TOUCHDOWN ALABAMA!" or Wes Durham excitement with "TOUCHDOWN FALCONS!". I am thankful that Larry Munson is still with us. I am grateful for those rare times when I find a great parking spot near the front entrance of Wal Mart. I am blessed to fulfill my dream of teaching. I am glad that I wake up in the middle of the night when my girls cough. I am proud of my two sons and the 4 terrific grandchildren they have given me. I love that the Burger Chick is 4 blocks from the house and is to Tallapoosa what the Varsity is to Atlanta. One of my students recently told me of her husband insisting on driving to Tallapoosa from Woodstock just to eat at Burger Chick. I'm glad my generation had the Tasty Treat and knew a time when there were "gas wars" between Mr. Lively's Texaco, Mr. McBurnett's Gulf, and Mr. Butram's Amoco. My gratitude for the love and concern of others is another immeasurable gift. Being loved without it being verbalized is more valuable than gold. The blessing of being from these streets is something I value more than being in three halls of fame or any awards sitting on the mantle. I am thankful for hearing the words "you're the best dad in the whole world". I'll never hear that too much. I am thankful for the city's leadership and our hard working people in public service that make our city a safe place to live. I tip my hat to the folks at city hall that always greet people with a smile and kind word. I am especially proud of our fire chief. I've known him since we were in kindergarten. We also graduated from Tallapoosa High and West Georgia College together. We have top notch police officers like Dana Ramey and Raymond Ballew that keep our streets safe. I appreciate Chief Worthy and the department he runs. Raymond Ballew can also fix a flat screen television and Dana can write and perform songs as good as CMA Award winners. She can also fire a Glock with dead-on accuracy. I also think Sheriff Eddie Mixon and the Haralson County Sheriff's Department do a fabulous job. I am thankful for people who wave when they pass by. I am grateful for the sights and sounds of our town on the 4th of July. Tallapoosa is like a Norman Rockwell painting on America's birthday. I am thankful for the Tallapoosa Service Council that once helped a 4th grader realize the true meaning of Christmas with the gift of a football one year. I am thankful for all of you who read this column and support the Tallapoosa Journal. I am grateful that I knew Frances Greene who encouraged me to persue journalism. Tallapoosa, we have a great town and all of us should take some time this Thanksgiving Day to reflect on just how good life is.