Thoughts for Thanksgiving

A wholesome corner of the world we live in. For weeks we've been blessed with the colors of autumn. As I walked down the street yesterday, a driver smiled and waved at me. This is a friendly place.

Food was stacked in mountains at our company Thanksgiving lunch on Tuesday. Today it will be stacked at my mother's house. In America, thanks to our farmers, we're blessed with delicious food of all kinds at the cheapest prices in human history. And we have refrigerators to store the leftovers in. Most of the world doesn't. We are blessed.

It's easy to take the good in our lives for granted and pay attention only to hardship. To the gasoline dealers, who are noticed mainly when their prices soar high, thanks for being there. Without you, our freedom to visit friends, shop and work would be so different we might not recognize ourselves.

Of course, driving wouldn't be the same without roads. Mayor Spradling and Cape Girardeau city workers, the roads around town are so much smoother now. The detours weren't always pleasant, but the job got done, and the town is much better for it. Thanks for your hard work.

Tragedy drew the nation's attention to firefighters, police and safety workers in new ways this fall. These men and women work hard to make our lives safer, more free. May we never take your bravery for granted again. And to our nation's postal workers, thank you for your tireless dedication to keeping us connected, even when uncertainty reigned. Your courage in working during the darkest days gave our nation strength. May you not be called on in the same way ever again.

In faraway lands and at home, our men and women of the armed services protect our way of life. Because of them, now and our veterans before, we are a land of the free. We are proud. We are strong.

President Bush and his Cabinet, Gov. Bob Holden, Congress, all government officials, when you are good, you are very good. Thanks to the foresight of our country's founders, our system is a shining example to the world. Not perfect. But well-intended, and empowered for the people.

Teachers help us understand context. They make new worlds possible. My life has been filled with wise teachers, but sometimes all it takes is one truly dedicated, loving, passionate teacher to light a fire that burns for a full lifetime. To the men and women who light these fires -- in schools and universities, churches and workplaces -- we owe you our thanks.

Thanks, too, to the men and women who make fast food fast, to the chefs who make eating-out a joy, to the grocery stores for making eating in easier. Thanks to those store attendants who are always ready to help. Thanks to the store owners and managers for giving us choices in our lives, and for taking the risks that drive our economic growth. Thanks to the businessmen and women, to the scientists, to the real estate developers, to the bankers and capitalists, the hospitals and doctors, who help us improve our quality of life. Thanks too to the media and the lawyers and the activists and the Speak Out callers for reflecting our society and keeping it honest.

Most of all, thanks to the family members and friends, who remind us what's most important and who give to us in ways we never fully see and too often fail to appreciate.

And to God. And to his Son. You have blessed us with life and the free will to do with it what we choose. And where we choose wrong, you have given us forgiveness, if we seek it in your name with the intention to live in honor of your teachings. Thank you for your bounty.

Jon K. Rust is co-president of Rust Communications.