As we shudder through the contents of nightly television news broadcasts, it is abundantly clear that we in Canada, in Saskatchewan and Moose Jaw have many reasons to be thankful for our life’s circumstances.
There are recognized problems in this country, province and city but those deficiencies are far outweighed by the benefits and opportunities available to the majority of residents currently living within our borders.
And what better time than the Thanksgiving season to list all the reasons to give thanks?
• I am thankful that the United States presidential election will soon be over and that, hopefully, the winner will be a newcomer to the position.
• I am thankful that our provincial election campaign will be over in less than 30 days, although unofficial campaigning began long before the official writ was issued. Eligible voters now have a responsibility to vote, ignoring the false idea that one vote cannot make a difference.
• I am thankful that so far (as this is being written) a federal election is being held at bay. The parties supporting the minority Liberal government have their agendas and one has to ask if their lines in the sand will benefit a majority of Canadians.
• I am thankful as well that we in Moose Jaw will have a chance to vote once again in a municipal election in November. This election is closer to home and the issues are more apparent in our daily lives. Thanks to the men and women who let their names stand for mayor and councillors. Again, don’t forget to vote
• I am grateful that within the community are dedicated educators whose goal is to pass on historical and current information that will direct our future leaders on paths that will benefit them with thoughtful choices.
• I am thankful for nurses, doctors and other medical professionals who work long, stressful hours to provide some of the best health care services in the world (despite some glitches and considerable red tape).
• Let us give thanks to the Moose Jaw Police Service, the men and women who patrol the streets to keep the residents safe and secure. They face potential dangers and circumstances many of us can only imagine. We should all walk in their footsteps before being critical of their performance. And thanks for the association’s assistance with numerous local charitable events.
• Thank you for the Moose Jaw Fire Department which continues to provide fire protection and fire safety education in the community.
• I am thankful for the service clubs, church groups and other agencies, including sports and cultural organizations, that add to the quality of life in Moose Jaw and beyond. Our lifestyle would be greatly reduced if it weren’t for the efforts of hundreds of volunteers who see the need and don’t hesitate to get involved. Don’t forget, though, there is still much to be done and more help needed.
• I am thankful as well for gas station attendants and other front-line workers who smile, say thank you and are generally happy to provide excellent customer service. To those who don’t seem happy, perhaps you are in the wrong line of work.
• Thank you to family and friends for all the special things they do throughout the year to make life more enjoyable and interesting.
• I join others in being thankful for the abundance of food we enjoy, our agricultural neighbours who feed the nation and the world, the opportunities to expand our horizons through travel and the ability to choose when and where we partake of those opportunities.
• Thanks to city workers who do their very best to keep our streets smooth, our garbage collected and snow removed, following the policies set by others and often criticized by citizens who tend to be armchair experts.
• A special thank you to Housemate for bearing with me for five-and-one-half decades. But just imagine how many silly jokes and stories I’ve heard in all those years!
• I am also thankful for the person who invented the remote control for the television. That piece of equipment allows us to shut off the flow of childish political rhetoric — without leaving the comfort of one’s couch. Thank you very much.
From our house, Happy Thanksgiving.
Joyce Walter can be reached at [email protected]
