By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Not surprisingly, the familiar “family and friends” topped the lists again this season of items for which to be thankful. But when pressed to dig a little deeper, most folks came up with much more…..
There were the priceless gifts of freedom and health, childlike gratitude for robots and foxes, and the unconventional thanks for modern plumbing and mischievous puppies.
As Thanksgiving approaches, following are responses from some Bowling Green residents about items ranking high on their thankful lists this year.
“I’m still employed,” said Jim Knepper as he stopped at a downtown coffee shop Monday evening. “I know that sounds silly.”
But the company Knepper works for in Perrysburg recently laid off 300 of its 1,000 employees.
“They got rid of a lot of older people,” he said. “I’m surprised they didn’t get rid of me.”
After undergoing seven surgeries in the last three years, Larry Lindsey said he is thankful for his life.
“I’m still here,” he said, as he loaded up his travel cup with coffee at Grounds for Thought.
Lindsey said he knows the value of health, after losing a daughter two years ago.
“Life has its ups and downs,” he said.
As she finished up a burrito lunch with a friend at the Call of the Canyon Café, Kay Chapman reflected on all she had to be thankful for.
“I’m grateful for so many things in my life,” she said. “I’m grateful I have such a nice house. I’m grateful I have such a good wife. I’m grateful for my friends.”
After the new year, Chapman will be headed to a warmer climate and calmer lifestyle.
“I’m grateful I get to go to Costa Rica for six months,” she said. “How many people get to do that?”
Makayla Holland originally offered “friends and family” as her answer while she worked the lunch shift at Call of the Canyon. But after more thought, Holland said she is thankful for people who are individualists.
“I’m thankful for people in society who have independent thinking,” she said.
Axle Yoder, 10, took a break from shooting hoops at the Bowling Green Community Center to talk about items on his thankful list.
“My life,” he said, followed by Jesus and “everything I own.” Axle, who was in the gym for basketball training, quickly added that he is grateful for his basketball skills.
Also brushing up on his basketball on Monday was 12-year-old Patrick Asmus. Beyond the standard family and friends, Patrick said he was looking forward to his family’s traditional Thanksgiving feast – especially the dinner rolls and chatting with family.
Upstairs at the community center, Carolyn Swartz was keeping a steady pace on the treadmill. She is thankful for her health – which is likely aided by her visits to the gym at least three times a week.
But she added, “I’m very good at making up excuses not to come.”
Swartz also offered thanks for her new puppy, a 7-month-old “doodle” named Chloe, who is currently going through her unruly “teenage” years.
“She’s keeping us very, very busy,” she said – never missing a beat on the treadmill.
Over at the staff desk in the gym, Josh Chatfield put his mind to finding an answer that wasn’t “cheesy” for his thanksgiving list.
Chatfield, fitness and aquatic manager for the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department, concluded people in the U.S. often take their freedoms and comfortable lifestyles for granted.
“I’m thankful that I wasn’t born in a third world country,” he said. “I’m very thankful that I live in a place where I’m comfortable.” That extends to the modern plumbing and kitchen appliances – instead of places where cow dung is used for cooking.
Chatfield shifted gears, and expressed thanks for his job. “I’m thankful I can wear sweats to work.”
At the Wood County District Public Library, siblings Noah, Jude and Evelyn Sattler contemplated the items on their thankful lists.
For Noah, 9, ranking at the top for him were his siblings and the library. “I’ve been reading the Percy Jackson series,” he said.
For Jude, 6, a stuffed dog waiting for him at home was on his list, as well as the building blocks in the children’s section of the library.
“I built a big, huge wall.”
Little sister Evelyn, 3, was a little too young for the survey.
As for the upcoming Thanksgiving feast, Jude was looking forward to the turkey.
“I eat a lot of turkey,” he said.
Noah, not so much. He was anticipating the cocktail shrimp that is a tradition in his family.
Librarian Ali Hultz had a difficult time narrowing down her thankful list.
“There’s so much,” she said. “I’m thankful for my job, for books, my sister, and being able to travel.”
In the storytime room, Hultz looked over the paper link chain created by children listing some of their favorite things. The colorful links noted the importance of bikes, toes, moms, Jesus, the zoo, birthdays, foxes, storytimes, robots, teachers, dogs, toys, dancing, kittens, apples, and snuggles with grandpa.
Sitting behind the glass at the entrance to the Wood County Health Department, was registrar Jennifer Romaker. This Thanksgiving may be tough, with her mother’s failing health. But the family tradition will continue by starting the decorating for Christmas on Thanksgiving. Christmas is her mom’s favorite holiday, Romaker said.
And of course there will be a traditional turkey dinner. “You can’t go wrong with that,” she said.
