By: Kenneth E. Boone, Sr.
I just received one of those Constant Contact email blasts from the nonprofit I once work for. Between their typical announcements of seminars they are hosting and pleas for sponsors was a brief message of gratitude for all they've achieved this year. Great idea, I think I will do the same. I'm Ken Boone. Welcome to my Podcast, “MUCH MORE TO SAY” In my third episode of this podcast, published back on November 22, 2020, I took a break from my typical political-leaning commentary to talk briefly about one the most important dates on the calendar. And that's Thanksgiving Day! Also, around that time, I received a Constant Contact email blast from the same nonprofit I mentioned in the introduction. I wasn't thrilled to get that email since it was just five months since I resigned from that organization back in June 2020. And it wasn't really a pleasant parting of the ways. I've told you that my time with that organization was one of the main reasons I started this podcast. Borrowing from a term used by the United States Senate and House of Representatives, creating this show allowed me to “reclaim my time”. While their mission was honorable, it wasn't one that tugs at the heartstrings like some of the more notable and charitable nonprofits in the world. But for some reason, they thought that they were just as consequential as organizations like St. Jude's or Goodwill. Like many nonprofits out there, they were constantly strapped for cash. But what they lacked in financial resources, they made up for with hard work and creativity. That's why I decided to come on board. I wanted to help where help was needed. One of the more admirable efforts on their part is their monthly newsletter. As I said previously, while they used up much of their space promoting the seminars they are hosting and begging for sponsors, they never failed to post heartfelt messages of gratitude for all of their achievements. And I applaud them for that, as they inspire me to do the same. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. While that adage still stands the test of time, I'm not going to spend my time on this podcast flattering them. But I will use this episode to, shall we say, paraphrase their Thanksgiving message to my audience, minus the sales pitches. Just like in 2020, I will stop by either Publix, Harris Teeter, or Food Lion to pick up a few Thanksgiving meal essentials. I'll eventually arrive at the deli counter. And since Celia is still a lifelong vegetarian, I will buy my meats in the smallest quantities possible. And I will still have to religiously check the label for milligrams of sodium per serving. I've gotten used to reading labels since I had my health scare back in 2019. It's still a life-sustaining exercise that I take seriously. All I have to do is remember a time when walking up a flight of stairs without feeling like passing out was a common occurrence. Today, I can do that and a lot more. For that I’m grateful! While I'm on the subject of gratitude, here are just a few more of the things that I’m thankful for:
Parting Shots As is my usual custom, I plan on staying in this holiday. Not for medical reasons, but because this is where I like to be. I’m planning a low sodium, yet still tasty meal. I even splurged, diet-wise, and bought a couple of Patti LaBelle sweet potato pies. I'm not worried about the potential weight gain, since I'm going to the fitness center on Friday. A couple of things that I won't be doing this year are to attend a Thanksgiving church service and to make some music. But I may include those things on my list of Resolutions for calendar year 2024. Or maybe not. A lot of people are going to hit the road to spend Thanksgiving with family, friends, and loved ones. While the risk of contracting COVID is not as strong as it was back in 2020, I will ask you to just consider masking as much as possible. And please don't drink and drive. We still have about five weeks left in this year, and I've yet to record my episode where I give thanks and gratitude to you for being such wonderful friends. But that's coming real soon. You guys have been amazing. Take care, and God Bless! Today's Quote “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” Gilbert K. Chesterton – British Writer, Poet, and Philosopher
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About the HostKenneth E. Boone, Sr. is a writer, podcaster, music lover, sports enthusiast, and retired accountant. Archives
May 2024
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