Counting our blessings

A friend of mine sent me an e-mail challenging me to think of something to be thankful for each day during November. I thought, “This will be a piece of cake.” The first few days were easy as I put down that I was thankful for my family and my parents and their health, my friends, my job and the usual things you would think of first.

My life changed a lot 53 weeks ago and that really changed how I look at things now. I have found that many of the things that I used to take for granted were things I should have been thankful for all along. Things like yard work and winterizing were now a priority instead of something that just happened. Now I feel thankful that the leaves are all raked (again) and that I don’t have to do that again until next year. And I’m thankful to have my own yard to take care of when many people are losing their homes.

Some days it was kind of a challenge to think of something new to add to the list. As I read the paper or watched the news it was easy to see that I had plenty to be thankful for each day. As you read this, you have probably already gathered with your family to celebrate Thanksgiving. I hope that during this celebration you had the occasion to think of all of the things you should be thankful for during the past year. I know I have.

Since I am writing this as a representative of the Bureau County Fair Board, I know we have lots of things to be thankful for. We’re thankful for the people who attend all of the events at the fairgrounds and for the volunteers that help make each of the events a success. We are thankful to have the opportunity to entertain and educate many of the residents of Bureau County and beyond at our fair and other events. We’re thankful for our many exhibitors and for the wonderful items they bring to the fair each year.