Some Things We’re Thankful for in Central

by Candi Lee

Thanksgiving is a time for reflection and gratitude. It’s a time of family gatherings and holiday meals. I asked a few of our Central residents just what they are thankful for this year and their responses were as follows:

Buddy Wicker said, “I am thankful for the good health I still enjoy. I am grateful to the Central Fire Department for responding to the house fire that we experienced earlier in the year and for all the people in community service. I appreciate the community that we live in and pray for it.”

Stephanie Smith said, “I am especially thankful that my son, James Lancon will be home from a years deployment overseas.”

Jackie Milazzo, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, was having her hair styled at Judy’s Heavenly Hair said she is thankful for Judy Lobue’s salon. “It’s the Steel Magnolia’s of Central. You never get just a superficial hair cut here. You get so much more. You get the works. You just have a blessed day when you come to this salon,” she said.

Cindy Short and her husband, Troy are very thankful for their family. “Thankful our son-in-law Sgt. Michael T. Scanlon will be coming home soon from Iraq and for the two newest members of our family, our new son-in-law, Jason Keith and his daughter Charlee.”

Junior Shelton said, “Family. It all starts there. Every relationship we have is tempered by the love and devotion that has been fed by our families.”

Darlene D’Amico expressed her love for God, family and friends.  She said, “I am thankful for my wonderful husband, three precious children, great family, good friends and to God above for watching over us and taking care of Talor, one of our children whom He took home to be with Him.”

Terrie Palmer said “I am thankful for my family and our health. And I am thankful for all my friends.”

Many other Central residents have taken the Facebook Thanksgiving Challenge. The challenge is for Facebook users to post each day for the month of November, a status of at least one thing they for which they are grateful. Many of my friends have participated in the challenge, and I have enjoyed reading their expressions of gratitude each day. Especially when retailers are in such a rush for the Christmas Season that it’s easy to blow right through the Thanksgiving holiday.

When I think about the meaning of Thanksgiving, I reflect upon the many Blessings that the Good Lord has bestowed upon my family and me. There is so much for me to be thankful for.  However, if I were to give myself a Thanksgiving Challenge, it would be to not only be thankful during the Holiday Season, or to be thankful for only the good things, but to be thankful everyday for the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I’ve learned that it’s harder to focus on all the things I wish were different, when I’m just thankful to God for everything He has given me and for His Will in everything He has not given me.

I hope and pray that each and every one of you have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!