Here we are, once again, on Thanksgiving Day. In this crazy world of ours it sometimes seems as there is nothing to be thankful for. But, as we take a peek outside the newspaper headlines, we realize we have much to give thanks for.
What are you thankful for this year? For myself, the list is long. I’m thankful that…
my Mom is recovery from radiation treatment
my dog, Sierra, has recovered from her amputation and is living pretty well even with arthritis
I have a roof over my head and food on the table
I don’t live in a war zone
I have family to lean on and make fun of
I have friends who put up with me
I’ve found online communities with wonderful people
I’ve read wonderful books this year that made me laugh and opened my eyes to new worlds
we have heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer
my feet still carry me despite my lack of cartilege
I can play with kids and be a part of their world even if for only a couple of our hours
people keep creating music, writing novels, and other wonders
nature rebounds ever Spring with it’s green hills, blooming flowers, and blue skies
it rains (even if it makes my arthritis worse)
and…well, I could go on and on.
So, this Thanksgiving let’s remember what we’re thankful for even if it’s just the fact that we made it to another Thanksgiving.
Hope yours is filled with celebration, good conversation, and delicious food!
Happy Thanksgiving!
It’s been a month and a half since the horrific school shooting in Pennsylvania. Five students were severely injured in the shooting. One of the students has been able to return to school full time. Two have returned part time. One student is in the hospital with severe head wounds. They hope she will be home by Christmas. The fifth student is semi-comatose. She may never recover.
The girls have incurred huge medical bills. Some need further surgery and most will need ongoing medical care. Others in the community will need psychological counselling.
The Nickel Mines Accountability Committee is overseeing the donations that have poured in. $3.2 million has been collected so far. This money will be used to pay medical bills, provide transportation, and for counselling services.
The committee is also looking after the family of the gunman. They will provide support where need. He left behind a wife and three kids.
Malaria kills more children in Africa than any other disease. The United Methodist Church, the United Nations, the NBA, and Sports Illustrated have taken action to lower that figure. They are banding together to form the program called “Nothing But Nets”.
The program will take in $10 donations which will go towards purchasing insecticide treated mosquito nets. Those nets will be sent to the needy in Africa. Each net can provide four years of protection for a family.
The United Methodist Church has been an active force in Africa for the passed 160 years. With the support of the U.N., they’ll work to get the nets to those who need them most. The NBA and Sports Illustrated will sponsor the effort as well as lend some big name recognition to the project. The idea of blending sports and humanitarian aid is not so unusual. Sports Illustrated has used it’s printed space in the fight against malaria in the past.
The goal is to deliver at least 120,000 nets to the continent.
