At the Dawson house, the Christmas season officially begins the day after Halloween. The very moment that we take down the skeletons and witches, we roll out the holly. Christmas music and movies — which are “off limits” prior to Nov. 1 — instantly become approved and legal. That’s just the way we roll.
But here’s the thing: Our fondness for Christmas does NOT mean that we zoom past Thanksgiving. Not at all.
To me, Thanksgiving is much too important to be bypassed without even tapping the brakes. It needs to be celebrated and recognized.
And it’s not just the food and family time that make this holiday so meaningful. It’s about real, honest-to-goodness thanks giving — as in, taking a break from our busy lives to sincerely appreciate, and rejoice over, the goodness of God.
Writing my annual Thanksgiving column, as I have done now for the past 20-plus years, is the best way that I know how to organize my own personal inventory of blessings.
So, today, I want to say that I AM THANKFUL …
• For my mother’s thoughtful advice, past and present.
• For the attentiveness and kindness of the middle-school boys who patiently tolerate me as their Sunday School teacher.
• For the times when the driver beside me on the interstate is looking at the road, not his phone.
• For Hugh Baby’s hamburgers.
• For the latest addition to our family, sweet Holly Belle, who joined the Dawson household last December. She’s a little Westie with a big personality.
• For the life-changing story of the Man from Galilee.
• For movie nights with Jonah and Luke, especially when “School of Rock” is the featured presentation.
• For the three times each day when Mountain Dew tastes the best — morning, noon and night.
• For Monday Night Football.
• For April’s beautiful smile. After nearly 20 years, it still grabs me.
• For that moment when the lights finally come on for Clark Griswald.
• For strategically-placed coffee tables that hold no risk of being shin-banging hazards.
• For Wave Country water park — the perfect summer hang-out spot for me, Luke and Jonah. Our own little paradise, right in the middle of Donelson.
• For the example my dad has ALWAYS set for me. He has shown me how to be a Godly man with everything he does, every person he encounters and every sentence he speaks.
• For the miracle that happened on July 19, 2018, when I went the whole day without losing my keys.
• For the sweet spirit at my church.
• For “Tender Tennessee Christmas” — both the song (which I love) and my own real-life experience of it.
• For the look on Luke’s face when he makes a diving catch in the front yard.
• For a job that I enjoy.
• For afternoons spent in my happy place — our old shed out back, where I keep my drums. It might sound like racket to the neighbors, but it sure is therapeutic for the drummer.
• For work-life balance.
• For beautiful, 82-degree days in September. And some years, in October. And occasionally even in November.
• For conversations with Jonah — some deep, some silly — on the way to McDonald’s to get him a sweet tea.
• For the opportunity to see the Eagles in concert a few weeks ago. (Don Henley and Company are all graybeards now, but for two blissful hours, they definitely gave us a peaceful, easy evening).
• For late-night walks through the house, when the Christmas lights are glowing and the house is mostly silent, aside from the ice machine and the soft Christmas music coming the kitchen.
• For Longhorn’s. (Best. Blue cheese. Ever).
• For my side gig as a college basketball stat-keeper … and the cute girl who works many of the games with me.
• For the way that Holly Belle bumps the back of my leg — with a toy in her mouth — to let me know she’s ready to play.
• For onion-free meatloaf. (Or anything else that is onion-free, for that matter).
• For that moment when George Bailey realizes his mouth is bleeding.
• For those rare and wonderful times when the commercial break during a football game does NOT include “Dr. Pepper’s Fanville.” (Put it to bed, please.)
• For April’s ability to keep everything together in our household despite her occasionally absent-minded husband.
• For pineapple casserole.
• For pleasant people, whether they are a stranger or an acquaintance. Sad to say, but they seem to be a dying breed. (I recently heard someone say, “That’s the thing about human beings. They aren’t good people.”)
• For our loyal, loving laid-back watchdog Chloe, who — at age 13 — tolerates her highly- energetic “little sister” with nothing more than a shrug of the shoulders and a “whatever” look on her face.
• For people in my life who have encouraged me. (I miss you, Mrs. Ann).
• For the members of the youth worship band, and the opportunity to play with them each week.
• For the food, and the mood, of Thanksgiving Day gatherings.
• For March Madness, and the awesome (although fading) memories of those years when Vanderbilt was actually involved.
• For that moment when Linus reminds Charlie Brown (and the rest of us) what Christmas is all about.
• And lastly, for the chance once again to wish each of you a Happy Thanksgiving … and Merry Christmas!
Published for the 2nd straight year with David Dawson’s permission. David was the sports editor at the RNT before going to work for the communications department at Vanderbilt University.
