Thanksgiving Blessings - Good Samaritans, Museum volunteers, and Steve Spicer

Sometimes, just the knowledge that someone, somewhere still believes enough in the principle of giving to sacrifice for others who are less fortunate is enough to quell the rising doubt I have about our nation's general indifference to the widening gap between the 'haves' and 'have-nots.'

A specific example is the self-sacrifice demonstrated by a pair of local 'Good Samaritans' who have taken it upon themselves for the past several years to make the holiday season a little more festive for young people in a deprived region.

Angie Sirrine and Sue Hambleton didn't spend Thanksgiving traveling overseas to disburse Christmas packages donated by the children of St. Joseph Catholic School in St. Johns - the need for their benevolence exists right here in the USA.

The Appalachian region is among one of several segments of the American population that continues to fall further and further behind in the prosperity curve, even in the midst of good times brought on by our nation's soaring economic conditions.

Why this disparity exists, I leave to the experts to decipher - although I have a nagging suspicion that very few people with the power to make long-term positive changes actually have the will to see the job through.

All I know for certain is that a few kids, who probably have little real experience in doing without material goods, took it upon themselves to give a portion of their own bounty to other young people who have nearly nothing - and two ladies made it all possible.

That's enough to have made my Thanksgiving thank-filled.

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Now, I'll jump down off my soapbox and take time to recognize some other fine folks who also give on a regular basis to another worthwhile endeavor - the volunteers of the Paine-Gillam-Scott Museum.

A telephone call this past week resulted in a trip to the Museum where a bevy of workers were busy hand-tying branches of fresh-cut cedar to trim the interior and exterior of the historic site in St. Johns for its annual Victorian Christmas celebration.

The lovely, fragrant smell of cedar boughs was overwhelming inside the beautifully decorated building - the aroma itself is worth a trip to the Museum this holiday season.

An appreciation for the handicraft involved in creating the cedar garlands was a by-product of the visit. I had no idea how time-consuming - and finger-numbing - it is to create those lovely evergreen decorations. You ladies have my respect.

I should probably mention that Bill McCarthy and John Furry were also doing a pretty decent job of hanging the cedar garland - no reverse chauvinism exists here.

For additional color photos of the Museum, check out the web site at www.sjindy.com

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A Thanksgiving column would not be complete without an expression of personal gratitude for blessings received during the past year. As always, faith and family top the list - life has no meaning without these.

This particular year - and especially the last several weeks - have provided an added dimension of thankfulness. Unless you knew Steve Spicer, you may not fully understand what I'm about to say - but those who did will get the message loud and clear.

I have no idea how many times Steve has leaped into my memory since his death last December, but his presence was especially felt during the recently completed play-off run by the Fowler High School football team. His life continues to be an example for me - as I know it does for many others.

How grateful I am for the opportunity to have known such a courageous gentleman. Steve saw no 'haves' or 'have nots' - his vision embraced everyone.