Keller: What are you most thankful for?

Published 12:01 am Saturday, November 17, 2018

I’ve written many Thanksgiving articles over the years and have repeated a few that I thought were better than others.

This year, I struggled thinking of what to write until I read the following written by Chuck Swindoll.

It made me dig deeper into what I’m most grateful for.

Allow me to share a Thanksgiving Day that he would never forget.

I will never forget standing erect in my classroom, my hand over my heart, as I repeated the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag.

Our nation was at war and times were hard.

My teacher had lost her husband on the bloodwashed shores of Normandy. After we had saluted the flag, we bowed our heads for prayer. As we did, she began to weep. I did too.

All the class joined in.

Then she stumbled through one of the most moving expressions of gratitude and praise that I have ever heard emerge from a soul plunged in pain.

At that moment in my young life I fell in love with Thanksgiving.

Lost in sympathy and a boy’s pity for his teacher, I walked home very slowly that afternoon.

Although only a child, I had profound feelings of gratitude for my country…my friends…my school…my church…my family. 

I swore before God that I would fight to the end to keep this land free from foes who would want to take away America’s distinctives and the joys of living in this good land.

This Thanksgiving, because of Chuck Swindoll’s memories as a young man, my day will be more meaningful.

Jeanne and I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!

If you have any questions or comments, please write Harold Keller at Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call 985-542-8477 or email hkeller@comcast.net.