“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” – Thornton Wilder (1897-1975), American playwright and novelist.

I have a friend who in his mid-fifties had to undergo open-heart surgery. That surgical invasion of the body is always serious but, his “youth” was a plus. He came through the surgery very well. Part of the prescription his doctor gave him for recovery was to walk. More than just to walk but to walk with his eyes open looking for people and things during his walk for which he could be grateful. He calls his daily walks around his neighborhood or in a nearby park, his “gratitude walks.” Most days he will post a picture of what he has seen and for which he is thankful on social media. It is his way of sharing his gratitude experience with others – encouraging them to express their gratitude in what they see and experience. I love his social media posts – they are uplifting.

My friend does not look down at his feet as he walks, being afraid of where he is going or that he might fall. Instead, he looks about, taking pictures of sunrises, sunsets, blooming flowers, autumn leaves falling to the ground, smiling children’s face or folks at work in their yards. His focus is not on himself but on his surroundings. Sometimes his walks bring back a memory for which he is thankful. He shares those grateful recollections with his photographs. He is healing his physical heart by tuning it to be aware of the people and things in his life for which he is grateful.

As we enter this “season of Thanksgiving”, are you actively looking for people and things in your daily walk of life for which your heart can sing a song of thanksgiving? Are you “conscious of our treasures” in our community of Red Boiling Springs, Macon County and our nearby neighbors? Do you have something for which to be thankful?

Vision 2020’s efforts to restore the old bank building in town to house the stories and memorabilia of our historic little town, is just one way V2020 expresses our thankfulness to those of the past who settled in this town and created a welcoming spirit to all who come by.  You can be a part of this labor of love. The restoration committee is in need of carpenters, electricians, plumbers who love the history of our town and this old structure – one of the few still standing in the historic district of Red Boiling Springs.

You may also help by making a financial donation to purchase materials and other items necessary to complete this project. Visit our fundraiser for the windows and doors repair — https://www.gofundme.com/f/rbsdoors-and-windows

There are also several items for sell at the Step Back in Time Shop that benefit the restoration fund:  Simple Pleasures: A History of the Resort at Red Boiling Springs and its accompanying cookbook: Simple Pleasures sell for $8 and $20, respectively. Also, available is a 45rpm record (definitely a collector’s item) of a song written about the flood of 1969 that nearly washed the entire downtown area away. Check out others items at Step Back in Time this holiday gift giving season.

One of my favorite holiday movies is: “Holiday Inn”. The plot of the movie includes the owner of a small inn who writes a song for a holiday for each month of the year. Here are the lyrics for his Thanksgiving offering (click on the first line to hear Bing sing):

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
I haven’t got great big yacht
To sail from shore to shore
Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for

I’ve got plenty to be thankful for
No private car, no caviar
No carpet on my floor
Still I’ve got plenty to be thankful for

I’ve got eyes to see with, ears to hear with
Arms to hug with, lips to kiss with
Someone to adore

How could anybody ask for more?
My needs are small, I buy ’em all
At the five and ten cent store
Oh, I’ve got plenty to be thankful for

I’ve got eyes to see with, ears to hear with
Arms to hug with, lips to kiss with
Someone to adore