Cousin Rufus and Thanks Living

Dear Cousin Cletus,

Hope this finds you ready for Thanksgivin’. Ah’m gonna spend the day with mah grandson, Harley and his family.

Every year we go ‘round the table and say one thing we’re thankful for that year. The grandkids usually say pumpkin pie. When it comes mah turn, there’s so much, it’s hard to pare it down to one thing.

This year ah feel thankful to be raised in the generation that knew right from wrong. Did you ever think, Cletus, how our folks and teachers made us understand the word obligation?

They taught us we were obligated to treat other people with respect.

They said we owe it to God to honor Him for providin’ food and shelter. And we ought to thank Him more than just one time a year.

They said we had obligation to be good citizens, to keep our hands off other people and their property, and to help people worse off than we were. And we did. Granddaddy made sure of that.

They taught us we had obligation to work and provide for our families. Remember how there was this ol’ bum in the holler years ago, who wouldn’t work? The neighbors all got together and gave him cause to want to work when they got through with him.

Well, that’s mah thoughts this year. The things we’re thankful for are just a wee bit, compared to what’s awaitin’ us in heaven.

Y’all come visit the holler sometime. Lem’s Gen’ral Store still has that machine that holds cold orange sodee pop. Mebbe ah’m thankful for that, too.

Your cuz,

Rufus

What about you? What are you thankful for this year? Feel free to use the comment box below.