One of my annual pleasures is, as Thanksgiving approaches, to think of things of which I am, or should be, thankful.
Somehow, this year those thoughts have been turning to Thanksgiving itself.
Yes, I find I am truly thankful that we have this special holiday.
It gives me, and everyone else, a chance to just surround ourselves with good thoughts.
For one thing, there is no specific obligation to anyone or anything. This is not a religious day, for any branch of any religion.
However, it is a day when religious groups can function without following any strict rules imposed by some hierarchy.
There are some traditions, of course.
In those years when I was a staff photographer, sharing the work with Homer Chase, I liked to give a short part of my Thanksgiving to illustrate the fact that others were giving of their own time, money and effort to help less fortunate families and individuals.
The First Baptist Church used to be one of the places I visited because I knew people would be served meals by members of the church on the food line.
I know that such diverse sources as the Salvation Army, then-state Rep. Francis Bevilacqua, the St. Vincent dePaul Society and others made the efforts in the days just before Thanksgiving to get meals to families that might be in need. Not necessarily prepared meals, but all the material so families would have bountiful meals in their own kitchens and the welcome aroma of the cooking would fill the houses.
One of the highlights was the annual dinner for Gazette carriers, a great experience until the rolls and potatoes would start flying.
City Hall auditorium was a lively place for that dinner, with circulation manager Joe Fareta flipping out.
But the great feeling for me was that everyone in the city, regardless of religious, service club, ethnic or political affiliation, felt good about Thanksgiving, and everyone still does.
I'm thankful for a lot of things, some old, some new, like being part of a wonderful family while growing up, and then being a part of another wonderful family as an adult.
And just last week, at one point on Veterans Day, I was very thankful I went through a whole war unharmed, appreciating the fact even back then that I was not in the infantry in front-line combat.
Beyond that, I was thankful a few days ago that the Salvation Army made me an "emeritus," along with Donald Ruhl, and did it in a non-roasting way. (It meant we could still go to meetings, but they didn't have to pay too much attention to us.)
So, it must be obvious by now that some of us have a lot to be thankful for on this holiday-for-everyone and we can feel sorry for those who have little or nothing for which they can give thanks on Thursday.
With all that in mind, I am hoping everyone has a pleasant day and has much for which to be thankful on Thanksgiving.
ÔÅÆÔÅÆÔÅÆ
Barney Gallagher has covered Haverhill since 1936 as a reporter, editor and columnist.
