It's the day before Thanksgiving, and all through our town, every turkey was thawing if not already brown.
Appetites are all ready; the feast is all planned. Let's hope we find gratitude spread over our land.
Our usual thumbs, on Thursday do fall, but this week, we're early. On Wednesday, they call.
So thankful we are for blessings we share; to you and yours, too, more blessings, our prayer.
This week, no thumbs turned up or turned down. Instead, they're just thankful, no fooling around.
[THANKFUL THUMB] Our first thankful thumb has to be for the pleasure of living and working in Northwest Arkansas. Yes, occasionally we find a transplant who cannot wait to move back to wherever it is he or she came from, but for the most part, we hear from people who (1) grew up here and love it dearly or (2) moved here for work or retirement and discovered the people and places that make our region so special. It's always been a great place for those who love the outdoors, but recent decades have seen the growth in amenities made possible by expansion in population and in the economic circumstances of residents' lives. Visiting other nearby, larger cities is now really a matter of choice, not necessity, because our region has so much to offer from health care to dining to attractions and services. Whether in the upper northwest corner, in the River Valley or out east toward Huntsville, Harrison or Eureka Springs, there is so much to be thankful around these parts.
[THANKFUL THUMB] The Razorbacks. Yes, the Razorbacks. It is hard to remember this when things are going poorly, such as with the 2017 football campaign, but few things unite the people of this state in quite the same way as the Hogs. Even the fans who are fit to be tied over the losing record or some perceived slight by an athletic director or a play call they would have never made if they were coach would all swear on a stack of Hog hats that they are the team's biggest supporters. Yet we forget sometimes that these athletic teams are made up of young men and women who are still discovering who they are, who aren't drawing million-dollar paychecks, and who daily put more effort into performing in athletic and academic pursuits than most people put into a month of their activities. We're thankful for them and for an athletic program that creates opportunities for them to obtain a college education. Even in their losses, we're thankful for Razorback athletes and those who support them. In tough times, they are still our Razorbacks.
[THANKFUL THUMB] Naturally, we are thankful for the people who buy this newspaper regularly and for the individuals and businesses who advertise in these pages or online. Subscribers and advertisers help to keep local journalism alive. It's no secret news organizations face challenging economic times and it has had its effects on this company just as it has on others throughout our state. But we remain convinced of the value of organizations dedicated to pursuing local stories rooted in journalistic principles and ethics. The Internet is a wonderful tool, but it has empowered people who manipulate information to achieve their ends, whether it's influence or "clicks" that produce income for them. We appreciate the kind remarks of new readers who move to this region from other places and make it a point to praise our company's commitment to publishing a daily newspaper filled with news, entertainment and helpful information. Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for the continued support.
[THANKFUL THUMB] Philanthropy is a really, really big thing in Northwest Arkansas. Whether in the form of gifts from the extraordinarily wealthy or pocket change going into a red bucket at the entrance to a store this holiday season, we almost daily witness the giving spirit of our neighbors. Yes, this is a prosperous corner of the world, but there are many people in need of a hand. The spirit of giving is strong and makes a difference in people's lives every day, whether it's giving cash to a homeless shelter or food to a food bank or donating items to a thrift store. Naturally, huge gifts for a children's hospital or a museum or the local library provide benefits for the entire community. And giving a few dollars matters a great deal, too. It is truly not how much one gives, but how much they seek to have a positive impact on the lives of others that matters. We're thankful for all the givers. And if you haven't been giving, it's OK -- there's no time like the present to start a good habit.
[THANKFUL THUMB] Finally, keep in mind today while you get that second or third helping that there are men and women hard at work, at this very moment, prepared to respond to emergency situations. Some wear uniforms, such as law officers, firefighters, emergency medical crews and those serving in the military. Others are civilians helping to support them. We have unfortunate, regular reminders of the dangers they face. We appreciate their willingness to face the stressful situations many people devote considerable energy trying to avoid. Their service makes our communities safer.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Commentary on 11/22/2017