So much to appreciate, so little time in which to share

So much to appreciate, so little time in which to share

By R.J. Godlewski
© November 26, 2008, All Rights Reserved

    It would seem that since I craft half my career around the written word that I would be prepared for just about any topic. Unfortunately, some thoughts are still very hard to describe and being a visual personality myself, I would very much rather point you towards an appropriate photograph instead. Part of this difficulty is that we live within a very superficial, take-everything-for-granted culture that has turned simple gratitude into an archaic art form. Sadly, however, there is nothing “archaic” about extending our appreciation for what we have and definitely, no “art” involved. We simply gaze upon what we have or have been given and say “Thank you!” Is such a tough action to undertake?

    I would like to start the process by extending my sincerest gratitude and respect to all who serve or have served honorably in our nation’s uniform. Whether in combat or during what academics proudly hail as “peacetime”, there is no function within the military that is inconsequential to our nation’s future and security. None. Even when this once lowly Electrician’s Mate Third Class stood his evening electrical switchboard watch, his actions provided electrical power to several ships docked alongside in Yokosuka, Japan who came in from searching for the wreckage of Korean Air 007. They needed repairs or refurbishment and while their power plants were down – steam propulsion plants are notoriously finicky – ours picked up the slack. My “fifteen minutes” of international fame, as it were. So to all in the military and who have previously served, this “discharged member” of the U.S. Armed Forces would like to proudly say “Thank you all!” Even if you have just walked through the portals of Boot Camp, you have got more time in service than our next Commander-in-Chief. ;o)

    Next, I would like to personally thank the truck drivers of our nation – a group of citizens who are virtually ignored outside of a few old movies. I know what it is like to manhandle 80,0000 pounds of steel beast in all climates and in virtually all states. I know what it is like to run off 750 miles per day for weeks on end. I know what it is like to arrive at a remote installation at 5:10 P.M. on a Friday only to discover that everyone had already left for the weekend just ten minutes before. It is during such times as these that you realize how luxurious simple things as a bathroom are. I know what it is like to wait twenty minutes for traffic to clear only to have local motorists bitch about all the trucks on the road. I also know what it is like to drive past some brutally horrible accidents, knowing full well that some fellow citizen ended their earthly existence within that particular spot. The images that are framed within my mind forever cannot be erased and so I must extend my fullest gratitude and respect to my fellow “Road Sailors” – you understand intimately why I chose my particular handle. As for the rest of you out there, if you only understood how much went into delivering everything that you buy you would gladly join me in my appreciation. Yet, most of you cannot even drive your car properly.

    Another forgotten group that I would like to single out for appreciation is the commercial fisherman within our nation. Twelve- to twenty-hour shifts seven days per week aboard a fish processing vessel was enough for me to doff my chapeau to all of you battling the seas just so that I could torch my fish sticks. I was safely tied alongside the pier when our ammonia system sprang a leak and the only thing that prevented sixty tons of the stuff from working its way into a steel coffin three hundred feet long was the courage of my fellow engineers. A tiny “pin hole” leak was sufficient to make a huge ship unlivable. Of course, everyone else was able to step onto shore for safety. I cannot imagine what it would have been like had we been hundreds of miles out to sea. No amount of pay is worth going through what fishermen do on a daily basis, but as I still like to eat seafood, I have to take a moment or two and thank you so very much for making my simple dinner plate so tasty. Ships are simply factories at sea and no factory is a luxury hotel.

    Speaking of factories, I have worked in about twenty to thirty myself. I have simply lost track, for their function is always to produce a product. What I have not lost sight of, however, is that each one was no picnic in which to work. Forget what you see on Modern Marvels, most factories are not clean “laboratory-like” environments. Some are noisy. Some are smelly. All are dangerous. They function within an environment that eats at your senses like a myriad of insects. Day in and day out workers arrive to produce both the sensational and the mundane. Sometimes, a bit of humor perks their existence such as when we ran six million envelopes (350,000 on my shift alone) that said, “You are one of THREE finalists!” I have worked in factories that made automotive robotics, plastic toys, paper, the aforementioned envelopes, tempered glass (where I met my beloved Sara), and foam products (archery targets, building facings, etc.). I have also delivered to literally thousands of factories from Oregon to Boston and from Virginia to Arizona, so I know how similar in function the facilities are. If you work within a factory, the nation could not survive without you and so you also have my deepest appreciation and respect.

    Lastly, although primarily so that I could keep this article less than several thousand pages in length, I would like to touch upon several groups that cannot go without singling out. Once, many years ago, my own grandfather was trapped within a Pennsylvania coalmine. Now whether our future president cares to bankrupt this industry or not, I know how valuable the people are who work within it. Thank you, each and every one! Having served as caregiver for both my wife and my father – two long and aggravating deaths in just five years – I have developed a profound appreciation for all within the healthcare industry. Whether you are paramedics (such as those who had to endure my expletives while I tried to shove the Rock of Gibraltar out through my manhood), hospice aides, nurses, or simply the many clerical personnel who made our lives more bearable, many of you seldom receive any thanks. Until now. You are a great bunch of people and, because it is one of the few fields in which I have no desire to participate within, my admiration is unlimited.

    I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the responsible gun owners within our country, without whom there would be no country in which to proudly serve within all of the foregoing disciplines – at least voluntarily.  It is far too easy for many to label us gun owners as fanatics or “clingers” but the simple truth is that we would have no say whatsoever if it were not for the fact that our nation’s security rests upon our ability to deal with the likes of any would-be Hitlers, Francos, or even Chavezes. It is highly doubtful that I could safely walk through my local towns if it were not for those who carry firearms upon their person. People who “cling to their guns”, my ass. People who cling to their freedom – and yours.

    Yes, writing about Thanksgiving Day is nearly impossible for there are so many people who rightfully deserve our profound appreciation. I have only touched upon my personal list. If you still seek that “one picture worth a thousand words” then simply open your eyes and gaze about you. Find that one thing that you are not appreciative of and ask yourself ‘Why?’ I could look upon my wife’s death, for instance, as something that I am not truly thankful for but the fact remains that her death made our life together that much more valuable. So many people take their spouses and loved ones for granted. How can your “other half” be so unnoticeable? If you cannot solemnly appreciate what you have been given, then perhaps you are not worthy of it? The Scots of Gretna Green can probably understand the attitude of which I speak. ;o) Let’s not turn responsibility into a mere fling of convenience.

    Therefore, in conclusion, if you still desire for me to write poetically about what this holiday is all about. To formulate into a few mere words what we must intimately know and understand. To place into words what even photographs may not adequately address. I accept the challenge. Thank you God for EVERYTHING! Try to improve upon that!
   

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Note from Debbie:

I would like to say "Thank You" to all you kind friends who stop by Right Truth each day; thank you to R.J. Godlewski, Fern Sidman, and all others who have contributed original articles to Right Truth over the past year.

Special thanks go to my sweet hubby (the Grouch at Right Truth).  He's my soul mate and I am so thankful that God brought us together.  It is God who sustains us each day.  It is God who bestows the many blessings -- health, home, happiness, family, friends,... and puppies.

Thanks to our military for keeping us safe, for fighting back the bad guys all over this beautiful world.

I am so thankful.

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Comments

[Faultline USA]

Thank you, Debbie, and to all of your wonderful contributors who bring great insight to Right Truth.

[MK]

Happy thanksgiving Debbie.

[Skunkfeathers]

Thanks for all you and Grouch do here, Debbie, and a Happy Thanksgiving back at ya ;)

[Angel]

Happy Thanksgiving Debbie and keep fightin the good fight my friend !! :-)

[Steve]

Great post... brings it all into perspective!!
Steve
http://www.commoncts.blogpsot.com

[marianne]

Happy Thanksgiving to Debbie, the Grouch, and the rest of the family!!!

[Christopher Hamilton]

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Thank you for stopping by the blog!

Christopher Hamilton
http://gasovercigarettes.blogspot.com

[Americaneocon]

Just wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, Debbie!

[courtneyme109]

Way too much to list, I am thankful for them all.

[Debbie]

Thanks everybody. Don't eat too much turkey,

[Maggie Thornton]

I too am grateful for so many things - living in America, our military who sacrifices daily for us, having family near, good health, good fortune - and many friends, including my blogging family.

Thanksgiving blessings to everyone.

[Grouch at Right Truth]

Thankya darlin'!

[Katie]

It feels good to complain now and then.

Have a happy Thanksgiving and don't overeat.

[Stanford Matthews]

Anyone can complain and we all do from time to time. But focusing on what is good and what we have received will keep us grounded and raise the bar on being human.