Thankful for….

It’s easy this time of year to get caught up in the mania of the season and forget to slow down and count our blessings. Recently I saw leftover Halloween candy corn sandwiched next to a display of candy canes, a visual reminder of how quickly the seasons seque. Personally, I am still trying to figure out what happened to summer, having spent most of it recovering from foot surgery.

Which brings me to what I’m thankful for this year and every year:

  1. This year specifically I’m thankful I only gained five (okay some days seven) pounds while ‘booted’ and in recovery from foot surgery. Still not one-hundred percent but in the big scheme of things – a walk, not even a hobble, in the park.
  2. My family: husband, children, mother, siblings, nieces, nephews,cousins, et al. We’re traveling this week, not specifically for Thanksgiving, but because my husband’s aunt is celebrating her 95th birthday on Friday. Years ago we instituted a ‘no travel’ at the holidays rule. Suffice it to say it came about because of too many miles, a stay in a Red Cross shelter, and other assorted John Hughes-esque moments. But I’m forever grateful for family, near and far – maddening and marvelous.
  3. Friends. This is what I said last year and wouldn’t edit a word: “Through all the years and all the places I’ve lived, I’ve truly been blessed, and continue to be blessed, with the best friends in the world. Seriously.”
  4. Facebook. Without that social networking media site I would not be able to keep in touch with so many far-flung friends. And that would be a great shame and sorrow. From friends I’ve known since grade school and reconnected with to former students to newfound gems, thank you Mark Zuckerberg.
  5. The fact I’ve never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner. I loathe cooking (although I do like to bake) and am forever thankful for a husband who cooks. As an aside, I loathe even more the disease – diabetes – that prodded said husband to take over the cooking a decade ago when he got the diagnosis. I am thankful of the people who work so hard to find a cure to eradicate this and other autoimmune diseases.
  6. A job I truly love: being a full-time writer. The pay is erratic, the benefits non-quantifiable, and the wardrobe shabby. I love it and am thankful my childhood dream has come true.

Every Sunday in church, a time is set aside for sharing joys and concerns. The congregational response to joys is ‘Thank you, God,’ and to concerns is ‘Give us faith, Lord.’

I am truly thankful for my joys and blessings, and as the seasons blur I’m going to remember I truly have a wonderful life.

Happy Thanksgiving, all.


Jerry Allen Patton


Jerry Allen Patton, 67, of Poteau, OK passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 in Ft. Smith, AR. Jerry was born July15, 1944 in Lequire, OK to James Wiley & Myrtle Pauline (Nelson) Patton. Jerry was of the Baptist faith. Jerry was retired from Rheem and was a veteran of the US Army where served in Viet Nam. He was a member of the Poteau Masonic Lodge – 32nd Degree Mason. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Earl Patton & stepdaughter, Trisha.

Survivors include his wife, Tammy of the home; son, Allen & Angie Patton of Cameron, OK; grandchildren, Kenneth, Kayla, Dalton, Justin, & Tray; sisters, Lucille Owens of Pocola, OK, Ann Clough of Poteau, OK, Paulette Dumas of Stigler, OK, Patsy Followell of Lequire, OK & Wanda Calhoun; other relatives & loved ones; many beloved friends.

Services will be 2 pm, Tuesday, November 22, 2011, graveside at Siloam Springs Cemetery, McCurtain, OK with Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Interment will follow.Pallbearers will be Allen Patton, Heath Williams, J.L. Calhoun, Bobby Holden, Shawn Followell, Rick Ryburn. Honorary pallbearer: Gary Francis.
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