AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > November > 23 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA day to appreciate life and loved ones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Thanksgiving is a day that needs no elaboration. The very name says it all. It didn’t become a holiday by appointment, it evolved out of appreciation for life itself, for health, for a bountiful table, for love of family, for gathering together, a day to pause, give prayerful thanks and consider our good fortune.
But on the other hand, consider the plight of the turkey. The bird du jour. How was it that this awkward-looking fowl became our symbol of this festive holiday? We have the Pilgrims to thank for that, we are told, and the reason was that turkeys were plentiful and dumb. Virginia Tech was the only college that ever named its teams for the turkey — the Gobblers — but soon got the drift and converted to Hokies, whatever a Hokie is.
Then, there is the negative side of “turkey,” the guy who’s an athletic klutz.
But enough of this. Let us clasp hands across the table and be thankful for what we have, not what we haven’t, and how blessed we are, not fearing to include a giggle or two:
*I’m thankful for my trusty old pickup.
*I’m thankful when no young person rises and offers me a seat on the Airport Tram, (you know, where the sign reads: “Reserved for the elderly.�)
*I’m thankful when my neighbor offers me a load of firewood.
*And, I’m thankful when the fireplace season comes around.
*I’d be thankful if Jimmy Carter had been the kind of president he tries to tell George Bush to be.
*I’m thankful for cellphones — for others, but keep it down, please.
*I’m thankful when I’m making a reservation that I’m talking to somebody in Cincinnati, not India.
*I’m thankful for the leathery smell of a new car — especially if it’s paid for.
*I’m thankful when the postman leaves those envelopes with the little window in them.
*I’m thankful never to get involved with some parent trying to discipline his child.
*I’m thankful when the phone rings and it’s not a telepest.
*I’m thankful I didn’t grow up in a country where curling is the national pastime.
*I’m thankful for the bicycle I got last Christmas, but I fear it was a few years too late.
*I’m thankful for smoked turkey, sorry it doesn’t taste as good as it smells.
*I’m thankful I still keep a pencil trimmer, a glue pot and a typewriter at hand, in case of emergency.
*I’m thankful for cashews (please tell me they’re not fattening).
*I’m thankful I got a million miles in at Delta before we had to start undressing at the gate.
*I’m thankful when the chiropractor says, “That’s all,� and the hurting stops.
*I’m thankful for dear departed friends, of whom there have been too many this year.
*I’m thankful for something I can only explain by saying I think I’m the luckiest husband alive.
And having said all that, let’s gather around, bow our heads and give grateful thanks to all our military folk who’ve served us any and everywhere.
WANT MORE FURMAN BISHER?
Read insights from a lifetime of interviews in the new book Furman Bisher: Face-To-Face. Now available at ajcstore.com.
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By James Lee Adams
November 23, 2005 09:00 PM | Link to this
I’m thankful for Furman Bisher and his writings.
By Max Sizemore
November 23, 2005 09:45 PM | Link to this
And I’m thankful for Furman also — until he compares that lying hypocrite of a president we now have to Jimmy Carter, a fine Christian man.
By VT JW
November 23, 2005 09:59 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, as I have read recently, a Hokie is defined as a guy who plays for a college team that usually beats yours. Hope this has been educational.
See ya in Jax………….
By VT JW
November 23, 2005 10:01 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher, as I have read recently, a Hokie is defined as a guy who plays for a college football team that usually beats yours (or you can ask Reggie Ball). Hope this has been educational. Props to GT.
See ya in Jax………….
By Dan
November 23, 2005 10:29 PM | Link to this
For the past three decades Thanksgiving has depended on the column by Furman Bisher. Here are my thoughts….link
By Dan Phillips
November 23, 2005 10:33 PM | Link to this
Link:(http://danphillips.blogspot.com/2005/11/thanksgiving-2005.html)
By islehack
November 23, 2005 10:39 PM | Link to this
Growing up in Atlanta, part of my Thanksgiving was reading Furman’s Turkey Day column. Now, as an adult living far from Atlanta, I can read his column on my laptop the night before.
Still, the smile across my face doesn’t change. I’m thankful for a lot this year, but — as always — I’m thankful for Furman and his writings. God Bless.
By BillP
November 24, 2005 12:39 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful for Furmans writings, his wisdom and his grace…
By Doug Rounds
November 24, 2005 12:43 AM | Link to this
I am Thankful for Furman who puts everything into perspective for us old enough to know what perspective is. I am also thankful that Furman is still thankful on Thanksgiving Day.
By SPX
November 24, 2005 02:21 AM | Link to this
Furman, please cusp your hands around Terrence Moore’s head. Hope a little of your wisdom and grace passes through.
By GT fan from Athens
November 24, 2005 05:44 AM | Link to this
Furman,
I got my introduction to you on a local Atlanta (WSB I think) football program in the 60s with Bobby Dodd and Ed Danforth. What a polite, respectable and knowledgeable person you were and are. And I appreciate how you seemed to respect Bobby Dodd who was my hero. We are blessed to have had your presence all these years.
By T 2 the D
November 24, 2005 05:55 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful for Furman’s writings as well, especially when he writes about horse racing and golf. His wannabe’s see wasted space; I see a writers love of the sportsmans life. Selah.
By David in JAX
November 24, 2005 07:08 AM | Link to this
I am thankful for Furman Bisher and his annual Thanksgiving column, a wonderful tradition and constant reminder of all that is wonderful about growing up and living in the South. And I am thankful for the internet (how DOES that work!!?) that allows me to read Mr. Bisher’s column on Thanksgiving morning instead of waiting for my brother or sister to mail it to me.
By Joe Sports
November 24, 2005 07:10 AM | Link to this
Three best things of Thanksgiving. Family, food and Furman’ column. Best to you my good friend. Joe Sports
By Jim in Pine Mountain
November 24, 2005 07:52 AM | Link to this
As far back as two years ago, I told some friends that one of the great blessing of the internet was that it allowed Furman Bisher’s writing to be exposed to so many more people.
By chuck
November 24, 2005 08:16 AM | Link to this
Good article about life.Carter versus Bush is right on. Gald we have somebody in white house who will do something rather than tell us how bad we are .Carter was good at blaiming us rather than doing something about our affaris. Still remember Iran and the hostages.Now if we beat ga ,thanksgiving will be complete.
By Bob Arnall
November 24, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful for the internet because I can now read Furman Bisher’s columns even though I moved to Florida 42 years ago. Bisher is the best sports writer ever.
By Floyd
November 24, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this
I, too, am thankful for Mr. Bisher’s columns, even though he once wrote back in the ’50s that he’d rather watch Jackie Gleason than watch my Murphy Eagles’ basketball game. The “thankful” columns are the best.
By Brent Gilroy
November 24, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this
I’m thankful for Furman and his Thanksgiving columns, which I’ve read since the ’60s and value even more now from afar (Washington, DC).
I’m thankful that I no longer have to pay a fee to the AJC to read about Furman’s thankfulness!
By Jason Godbee
November 24, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this
I always enjoy reading Furman’s wonderful thanksgiving column.. I have read since I first learned how to read about 15 years ago at the ripe ol age of 6
By Mark W. King
November 24, 2005 10:39 AM | Link to this
I think Mr. Bisher should leave politics to Cynthia Tucker and stay with sports. Bisher’s seeming admiration for Bush and the fact that Jimmy Carter seems to get under his skin reminds me of the remark attributed to the late H.L. Mencken, “The men American people admire most extravagantly are the most daring liars; the men they detest most violently are those who try to tell them the truth.”
By Derry
November 24, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this
As with so many others who grew up in Atlanta and moved away, or who passed thru town and got to know him, I’m grateful to be able to read Furman Bisher’s column via the net. I began reading his columns more than 50 years ago, and it is a genuine pleasure to be able to make it part of my Thanksgiving, no matter where the holiday takes me. Thanks to Furman for continuing to remind us of the importance of simple things in finding real happiness and gratitude.
By Thomas
November 24, 2005 01:40 PM | Link to this
After living in Virginia for three years, I can tell you that ‘hokie’ means castrated turkey. Why one would castrate a turkey is beyond me, but maybe if I had lived in Virginia longer, I would understand. That said, God Bless Georgia and Furman Bisher.
By Joe
November 24, 2005 03:53 PM | Link to this
Thanks Furman for speaking the truth in love about life, sports and yes about Jimmy.
By Dave
November 24, 2005 04:30 PM | Link to this
Thomas, you only lived in Virginia three years, and you are mistaken that a Hokie is a castrated turkey. That’s a tale passed on by those jealous of Virginia Tech. The word “Hokie” was part of a cheer written by O.M. Stull in the late 1800s. Hate to break up the fun, but here is the real story:
http://www.unirel.vt.edu/vthistory/hokie-explained.html
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
By Marvin Coffee
November 24, 2005 05:53 PM | Link to this
Dear Furman:Are you saying that Jimmy Carter is trying to tell George Bush to be truthful,and to be a person of outstanding character and integrity? I thought Jimmy Carter was such a president.You must be getting senile Furman. You have forgotten that you are a sports columist and not a political analyst. Have a Thankful Thanksgiving!
By Jimmy
November 24, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this
I marvel at the many years Furman has graced us with his thoughtful insights. On some issues I wait until he comments before I decide where I stand. On his politics, I consider his comments to be on target with mainstream thinking people. It saddens me when I see reader emotions taint the obvious. Each new column by Furman is a gift; I treasure each one more than that last one.
By Mike
November 24, 2005 09:04 PM | Link to this
I always look forward to Furman’s Thanksgiving column. (I still remember one a few years back, Furman, when you mentioned being thankful for long legs that stretched out below a short skirt, or something to that effect.) I’m thankful for the AJC having the best sports writed in FB. You take ‘em to school!