First of all, I need to clarify a misperception on the part of some of my readers: we here at Riverview have begun producing another regular article to keep everyone informed about hunting-specific happenings and offerings around the plantation. While I’m not responsible for the new offering, called “The Over Under: Updates from the Pines,” fear not: you’ll still have my inside take on things as a happy, amateur writer with this, our classic blog, “Wiregrass!”
This particular installation was written the day before Thanksgiving since my children, Holly, Cadie, Cader V, and my new wife, Carol, had already given me my marching orders for the following holiday. Those orders consisted mostly of show up, shut up, and pay up! I’m certain that at least some of you understand that.
When I was a very young deacon in our little country church, an older deacon said to me “Cader, what if the only blessings you had when you woke up were the blessings you thought to thank God for the night before?” Well that scared the hell out of me, so I started adding “ and Thank you for all of my many other blessings “ to the end of my prayer time. I still do that for insurance to this good day. The following is a combination of serious and tongue-in-cheek blessings that I’m grateful for:
I’m grateful for three wonderful adult children and seven PERFECT grandchildren. They are my reason for living!
I’m grateful for Cader IV calling me to say that he needed to talk to me just days prior to his graduation from UGA. I’m REALLY grateful that I didn’t ask him “what he had done now,” or “how much money do you need.” I was shocked when my succession plan in the form of my beloved son decided to forego Atlanta, Charlotte, or New York to come home. I’m also very grateful for his wife, Heather, becoming an integral part of our family!
I’m also extremely grateful that I had my Martha for almost 50 years! When Martha knew that she was going to be with Jesus, she told Holly and Cadie that she wanted me to get remarried because I had no clue how to look after myself. However, she said that if I married someone 40 years younger than me that she would send a lightning bolt down from heaven for me to join her, and I BELIEVED HER.
I’m grateful that after Martha I found a beautiful Christian lady who is as pretty on the inside as outside. Since she is only 4 months younger than me, I’m additionally grateful that she knows all of the old songs, sitcoms, and people of our generation.
Carol loves me, and I can’t figure out for sure why. I don’t tease myself when I look in the mirror. I once was a handsome man, but I’m now an old bald-headed guy with skin that shows a lifetime exposure to the sun, while Carol is a knockout. Before some of you begin to smirk, Carol is financially independent. Immediately after Martha died, I had to dodge the “casserole brigade” of younger women looking for a meal ticket. After an exhaustive search with the help of old college buddies from Albany, I pursued Carol.
I’m grateful that lawyers believe that a person is innocent until proven broke. (Sorry… even though I have a daughter and son-in-law who are lawyers, I just couldn’t resist)
I’m grateful for bacon. I sometimes eat it twice a day because it gets my mind off these terrible chest pains I’m experiencing.
I’m grateful that there was a lifeguard in the gene pool when I was growing up.
I’m grateful that I have a doctor who can explain the 40-something side effects of taking YET ANOTHER medicine.
I’m grateful for the fact that the more you weigh, the harder it is to kidnap you. Stay safe, and eat more sweets!
I AM GRATEFUL FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!
And finally my friends, I leave you with this thought, along with my wishes for a joyous and blessed Holiday Season for you and your loved ones – – Enjoy life and laugh a lot because no one gets out of it alive. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!