Posted by Dick McCullough
on November 7, 2009, 7:55 pm
69.134.200.141
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection and remembrance. It is a time to look back at the past year and remember those things for which we are most thankful. To raise our eyes towards the heavens and proclaim our gratitude for the richness of the blessings that we have received. May I suggest that this year we not stop at January 1st but go farther back. Go back farther than ten, fifteen, even twenty years. I challenge you to open doors where treasured memories were stored and then forgotten, to walk neural pathways long unused and overgrown. What can you remember? What do you recall? I remember the glorious smells of grandma's kitchen as she and my mother and aunts bustled about getting the Thanksgiving dinner prepared and on the table. I remember the stories that my grandfather told of his youth and how we all laughed at his characters and the predicaments that they were caught in. I remember brisk cold winter days with steel grey skies that held the promise of snow and the answer to my prayers for snow days off from school. I remember the uncontrollable excitement and wonder of Christmas morning. Of presents being opened, wrapping paper flying about and eyes wide with joy at the site of new toys. I remember those early school years, days spent in learning the three R's, playing games and making new friends. I remember the awkwardness of junior high, feet growing faster than my ability to control them, discovering girls and sports. I remember the long ride from Glenn to Tech in a bus packed with 3 kids in every seat, jostled with every bump and nearly redistributed with each turn. I remember those first days at Tech and trying to be "cool" and failing on a daily basis. I remember teachers like Mr Feis, Mr. Martin, Mr. (Tank) Tyler, Mr Cave, Mr.Strunk, Ms. Blair, Mr. Sullivan and of course my homeroom teacher Ms. Rapaport. I remember the excitement of graduation, freeing myself from the percieved shAckles of institutional learning and pursuing my dreams and goals. I also remember my mom saying that there would come a day when I would once again yearn to be back in that same school. And I remember the day that her prophecy came true. As I look back over the years of my life and the choices that I have made, some good, some bad, some right, some wrong, some legal, some il....well you get the gist! What I have learned is that I wouldn't change a single thing. In looking back I have direction in going forward. So, I trudge onward with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, for that is the character of the unknown; to keep us on our toes and to unexpectedly surprise our socks off. May the Father above smile down upon you, guide your steps and shower you with his blessings. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
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