It seems every year around this time, you are surrounded by the question “what are you most thankful for?” Well for most of us, that question is not easily answered. It is similar to someone asking us, “what is your favorite song?” There are just too many to pick from.
This year is different, however. For my family, the question of what we are thankful for is easily answered with one word: family. There will be a lot of empty chairs around our dinner table this year. Between August and November of 2009, our family lost five close family members and two extended family members. Some of these, while never easy, were somewhat expected. Others, however, were very tragic. As in all cases, these people were more than just a name in the obituaries that day. They were fathers and they were mothers. They were sons and daughters, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives. They were also body shop estimators, retired employees of the county assessors office, and police officers. However you knew them, they were our family and they were our friends. They leave a gap too big to fill, and took a piece of them with us when they left. While it will be hard to see their empty seats this year, we are encouraging each other to remember that the love and wonderful memories we shared will never leave us and will forever be the reason behind our smile.
This year, amongst the crazy holiday bustle, multiple shopping trips, big dinners, gift wrapping, and the inevitable stress, take a moment to stop and remember the important things you have in your life. No matter the issues, no matter the arguments, no matter the differences and no matter the excuses ... love your family. Take an extra moment to remind those you love just how much they mean to you and how very much you love them. Smile at a stranger, help someone in need. It only takes one moment of kindness to turn a day around. You get the best out of others when you learn to give the best of yourself. Do not let a sudden tragedy be the reason you have to say, “if only I would have told them how much they meant.” There is no better time than now.
To those we’ve lost, we love you, we miss you and you will forever be in our hearts. Until we meet again ... “Big Jim” DeShon, James R. Fisher, Berthie Johnson, Officer Leslie Hulse, Fishers Police Department, Jimmie C. Stohler, Mike Sandefur and Louise Hillian.
Lindsay Fisher
Pendleton
Letters
Letter: Remember important things in your life
- Letters
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Letter: Union attitude must prevail for recovery
