Before we dig in, mind if I give thanks? I appreciate it.
It's traditional for newspaper opinionators to drop themed anecdotes on the high holidays. There are still unwritten rules.
The opinion here is Thanksgiving is on the high perch of American holidays. I'm thankful everyday, so a day centered around gathering, sharing food and being thankful really resonates with me. My sanctimonious thought is that Americans should be thankful. All of us.
Ironically, a spirit of thankfulness overcomes sanctimony. But I digress.
There's thanks to give and I believe in giving it. So let's get this show on the road.
Dear spirit, thank you for life. But you already know I"m thankful, so I'm not going to insult your omniscience by making a big deal out of it. There are many who don't know what I'm thankful for. Thanks for letting me tell them.
For Jeff, Russ and all who put the ANE in your hands, literally or virtually, twice a week, I am truly thankful. The News-Express and its predecessors (I'm old) connected me with some of the most talented, interesting, and good people in my life. Besides everything else, they still give me a deadline. With a deadline, I can do anything.
For everyone, from CEO to custodian, who keeps Pikeville Medical Center open every day to save lives, thank you. I feel this way about everyone in the medical field, but the folks at PMC have seen way more of me these last six months than anybody should reasonably have to. Thank you for that.
In particular, to the staff of the Lawson Cancer Center--doctors, nurses, aides, technicians--my gratitude is complete. There is nothing lucky or easy about cancer treatment. The people treating you need the knowledge and experience to kill the thing that wants to kill you without killing you in the process. Luck or ease are not a part of it. I'm thankful for a team that has made the commitment to lead right here. I'm more thankful for the kindness and empathy I feel every appointment and treatment.
This is a good spot to thank my mom, who'll be 90 years old next week. Saint Loretta was a registered nurse long before she was a coal miner and the source of my respect for service through healthcare. Thanks for teaching me the difference between what you did and didn't need a trip to the doctor for.
For my immediate family, Mitch, John, Sam & Cal, thanks for the more frequent check-ins. I may sound annoyed, but I'm lifted. To my best friend and partner of 25 years and the only James Beard Leadership Award winner I've ever vacationed with, thank you Valerie for all the yesterdays and all the tomorrows.
Finally, for many Thanksgivings, I've been blessed and thankful to venture somewhere up on the Pine ridge camping the weekend. This year I'm thankful for friends who'll shake it up a bit and make it possible for me to be with them. Thanks Pine Mountain Orchestra, I can't wait to be campfire jamming once again.
Thank you for reading this. May you be blessed at each thanks giving. Amen.