JOHN HUNT: Giving Thanks On Another Beautiful Day

  • Thursday, November 26, 2015

Well, here we are again.  Where has that last year gone in such a hurry?

As has been the case in recent years, I’m following in Roy Exum’s footsteps with my many reasons to be thankful.

Among other things,

I AM THANKFUL that I woke up today without a hangover.  It’s been almost 22 years since and I hope I never forget just how bad that last one was.

I AM THANKFUL for my dear wife Althea, who continues to stand by my side and support me, even when I don’t deserve it.  And I’m really thankful that she’s the veteran in my family, but that she’s now happily retired after more than 21 years of faithful service.

I AM THANKFUL for all the volunteers in my life.  You know who you are, but folks like Jim, Dan, Jimmy, Chuck, Harriet, Orion, Tom and Deborah go above and beyond the call and make my job a whole lot easier.  And a special thanks to those who answer the phones after hours.  You’re the real heroes.

I AM THANKFUL that I had the opportunity to be at the finish line for Ironman Chattanooga in September and at the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon earlier this month.  Those folks redefine dedication and fitness and I’m proud to call them my friends.

I AM THANKFUL for wooden bats and the feeling you get when you hear that magical crack and see a baseball soar way past the outfield wall.

I AM THANKFUL for college football and that there are so many choices of games to watch on any given Saturday.

I AM THANKFUL for the career of Jacob Huesman at Chattanooga and the fact that he was honored as the SoCon Player of the Year for the third time this week.

I AM THANKFUL that his daddy Russ continues to do such a wonderful job with the Mocs.  I know the job offers will be coming, but I hope he sticks around as there’s still some “unfinished business.”

I AM THANKFUL for all of the positive influences in my life and for guys like my father Bruce Hunt who knew how to “talk the talk and also walk the walk.”

I AM THANKFUL for Roy Exum and the fact that he took a chance on a 24-year-old guy back in 1979 who knew nothing about writing sports, but gave him a chance anyway.

I AM THANKFUL for Ward Gossett, who was a real mentor for me in those early days at the News-Free Press.  Ward took the time to show me the do’s and don’ts of sports writing, like the importance of getting the final score right and spelling people’s names correctly.

I AM THANKFUL for those guys at Sequoyah Lawn Equipment, who do such a great job of keeping my equipment running right.  I’ve known guys like Shannon and Mark for a long time and appreciate the kindness they’ve shown me through the years.

I AM THANKFUL for the view you get from the press box at Finley Stadium on a clear fall afternoon and that you can see at least eight American flags flying from the tops of downtown buildings.

I AM THANKFUL for open fires and the feeling you get when you walk outside and smell the smoke rising from the chimney.

I AM THANKFUL for all the hardwood trees in our yard.  Granted, I spend more time moving leaves in the fall than I do mowing the grass in summer, but those monsters are beautiful and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

I AM THANKFUL for the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous and the life-changing experience I’ve had as a result.

I AM THANKFUL for holidays like Memorial Day and the feeling I get when I pull into the National Cemetary and see all of those American flags waving in the breeze.

I AM THANKFUL for the lump that forms in my throat when I hear the Star Spangled Banner played, knowing that thousands of women and men have made the ultimate sacrifice so I can enjoy the freedom that comes my way every day.

I AM THANKFUL when I hear the loud bang at a fireworks show and watch all the spectacular colors.  I’ve been watching them for a long, long time and they never get old.

I AM THANKFUL that I have no plans whatsoever to be anywhere near the mall on Black Friday.

I AM THANKFUL for my son Michael and the fact that his girlfriend Kelly has been such a positive influence on him and that he’s back and school making all A’s.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that one day soon she’ll be my daughter in law.

I AM THANKFUL for those fine folks over at ElmCroft on Gunbarrel Road.  That’s where my 92-year-old mother lives and she’s always talking about how kind they are and how wonderful the food is at every meal.

I AM THANKFUL for Jeff Parker and his love for music.  Jeff is the Minister of Music at my church and I appreciate his patience with folks like me who don’t always sing it right the first time.

I AM THANKFUL that we have a group of deer who frequently come into our yard.  They are almost tame and so pretty to look at.

I AM THANKFUL for Tracy Malone and the fine job his East Ridge football team did this fall.  They had a remarkable season and it couldn’t have come at a more important time in the life of that school and community.

I AM THANKFUL when I pass a pretty girl on the street and she smiles.

I AM THANKFUL for my ability to cook meat on the grill.  Even if I have to say so myself, I’m pretty good when it comes to chicken, pork chops, steaks and burgers.

I AM THANKFUL for sisters like Emily and Nancy who cook all of that other stuff like fresh vegetables.  They are also the best when it comes to chocolate pound cake and banana pudding.

I AM THANKFUL for John Wilson and his willingness to let me keep writing for the Chattanoogan.com.  We are very lucky in that we get to pick and choose what we cover, we edit our own stories, write our own headlines and don’t have to put up with the politics that is often associated with other newspapers.

I AM THANKFUL for guys like Dennis Norwood, who is one of the best photographers I know.  Dennis will go to an event I cover and stay the entire time, taking literally hundreds of photos along the way.  He really makes me look good as a picture is worth a thousand words.

I AM THANKFUL for soft pillows.  Add a fuzzy blanket and you have the perfect ingredients for an afternoon nap.

I AM THANKFUL for my Scag lawn mower and the way a yard looks when I’m finished mowing, trimming and blowing.

I AM THANKFUL  for puppies and kittens.  There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love you get from a dog.  And kittens…well, they can be kind of cute at  times too.

I AM THANKFUL for my buddies Debbie and Jerry Hightower and their involvement with SPARC, an adaptive sports organization that gives physically challenged individuals the opportunity to do stuff that might otherwise be impossible.

I AM THANKFUL for all the outstanding high school coaches in the Chattanooga area.  We have some of the best right in our back yard and they all go the extra mile to make the difference in a young person’s life.

I AM THANKFUL I was present at Gene Etter’s final game as Baylor’s baseball coach  back in the spring.  Unfortunately, the Red Raiders lost, but Etter still praised his kids and gave them hugs afterward like they had just won a state championship.  I was also a recipient of one of those hugs.

I AM THANKFUL for fried shrimp, especially when it’s one of those all-you-can-eat menu items at Red Lobster.

I AM THANKFUL for Olive Garden and the fact that they offered my wife a free meal on Veteran’s Day as a show of their appreciation for her military service.

I AM THANKFUL that gas prices continue to drop.  Last year, I was hoping they’d dip below $2.50 and they have.

I AM THANKFUL for prayer and that the God of my understanding is always listening, no matter what time of day.  My needs have always been met, regardless of what my wants are.

I AM THANKFUL for old friends like Mike Hartman and Steve Parker.  My buddy Mike lived across the hall from me in Knoxville back in 1973 and we stay in touch regularly,  despite the fact he lives in Indianpolis.  And my buddy Steve is one of the most kind and gentle fellows you’ll ever meet.  He lives in Marietta with his family, but again, we still stay in touch after all these years.

I AM THANKFUL that my youth choir had a reunion back in April and that so many folks from out of town decided to come.  I just wish my late friend Mark Kay could have been there as he would have been the life of the party.

I AM THANKFUL that I had a good run at the FCA 5K on Labor Day.  Running has been an important part of my life for many years and I proved that day I can still cover the distance, even if the time is a whole lot slower.

I AM THANKFUL for the Chattanooga Track Club and the role it plays in encouraging a fitness lifestyle for people in Chattanooga.

I AM THANKFUL that Bill Gautier is still the cross country and track coach at UTC and that he was honored as the Southern Conference Coach of the Year for the umpteenth time this fall in cross country.

I AM THANKFUL that I have the ability to feel feelings and emotions.  There was a day not too many years ago when all of that stuff was covered up, but thank goodness, that’s not the case today.

I AM THANKFUL I decided to quit smoking back in 1993.  I was really unhappy when the Braves lost to the Phillies in the NLCS and decided to turn a negative into a positive.  I haven’t smoked a cigarette since!

I AM THANKFUL that coach Butch Jones continues to do a great job with the Tennessee Vols and that we may be headed back to Rocky Top soon.

I AM THANKFUL for Chattanooga and the outpouring of support following the tragedy on July 16.  And I have the utmost respect for Police Chief Fred Fletcher, who is one of the finest fellows I’ve ever met.

I AM THANKFUL that I have the ability to be thankful.  Like I said earlier, it wasn’t too many years ago when I didn’t have much to be thankful for.  Or at least, I wasn’t aware of it then.

I AM THANKFUL that I’m no longer in school and don’t have final exams coming up in the coming weeks.

I AM THANKFUL  for good books and the teachers way, way back who taught me how to read.

I AM THANKFUL for newcomers, who like me, finally decide that they’ve had enough and are willing to do things differently now.

I AM THANKFUL for days like today when I can gather with my family and eat more than I should and to have fellowship and fun as we remember all of the great times we’ve had in the past.

AND FINALLY, I’M THANKFUL for folks like you who read my stuff and appreciate the ideas I share, no matter how insane they might be.

So as you pause for today’s big meal, think about all the things you have to be grateful for.  We are all extremely lucky to be able to call America and Chattanooga home.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

(Email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

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