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DEL.ICIO.USPeach Buzz: Love, money, muscles all worth thanks
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thanksgiving 2007. This year, Peach Buzz readers — both in sickness and in health — are thankful. And as always, some of your submissions caught us a little off guard. But as some of you point out, even horror movies, moves not made and the occasional obscene phone call are all reasons to celebrate today. Read on!
Jerry Niemeyer, Acworth: “I am most thankful for Sandy, my wife of 36 years. She’s been my strength for a long time. We met almost 40 years ago through an obscene phone call.”
Joni Pelta, Atlanta: “To live in one of only four cities in the U.S. with pandas at our zoo. The pandas, especially the antics of 1-year-old Mei Lan, never fail to make me smile and feel great on my frequent visits to Zoo Atlanta.”
Jerry Schwartz, Alpharetta: “Every Thanksgiving, I take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle. On the left side I list all the events that year that were happy ones and on the right, I list those that were unhappy. I’m thankful that the left hand column is much, much longer than the right.”
David and Billie Sims, north Fulton: “For the wonderful public school teachers that have worked with our daughter, Ali, who was born with Down syndrome. She will graduate this year from Centennial High School, thanks to the efforts of many teachers.”
Vicky Hagan, Marietta: “One year ago, I joined a women’s gym. I never thought at 50 I could develop muscles in my arms, but I have a nice set of pecs now. I love this feeling of strength. My husband calls me Mighty Mouse. I am thankful I have taken control and hope to be hotter at 50 years old than I was at 40.”
Meta Shore, Smyrna: “After being almost deaf for nearly 30 years, I had a Cochlear implant, and now I can hear birds, music, phone, the doorbell ring. Conversations with friends and strangers have been a pleasure.”
Marie McIntyre, Monroe: “Last Thanksgiving, my husband had just completed months of chemotherapy and was facing a stem cell transplant. This year, because of the remarkable people at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, he’s in complete remission and feels wonderful. At our house, every day is Thanksgiving.”
Kathy Hooks, Atlanta: “My old dog Abbey. She has consoled me during the two greatest losses I have ever faced. Just when it seemed my heart would indeed heal, Abbey became very sick. But it wasn’t our time to part, and I am thankful I got the chance to return the favor by never leaving her side.”
Lenny Player, Sandy Springs: “I’m highly appreciative of the highs and lows I experience as my mom’s caregiver. She has Lou Gehrig’s disease. The experience has helped me see what’s good about her as well as my deficiencies as a man and son. It has all been extremely worthwhile.”
Virginia Ashmore, Monroe: “In July 1999, my husband had emergency open heart surgery that required quadruple bypasses. In February, he was diagnosed with an intracranial bleed. After months of healing and many, many prayers, my husband is alive, walking and talking, without any physical hindrance.”
Jane Wilgus, Atlanta: “To be a part of a blended family. We may not be the Brady Bunch, but we have such fun when we’re together and respect each other.”
Carole Hager, Smyrna: “For cheap wine, the money I buried in my backyard and the ability to laugh out loud and at myself.”
Stephanie Vaughn, Atlanta: “After many terrible years, I found love and news that I was expecting a baby. I never thought I would be able to have another child. In September, I welcomed a baby boy. I’m thankful for the life of my beautiful children and the God that has allowed my life to completely transform when I had admittedly lost faith.”
Ric Burnett, Doraville: “For a wonderful wife, Betty, for 27 years and no kids for 27 years. But I’m not thankful for stores that have 20 cash registers and only two are being used.”
Barbara King, Doraville: “My husband was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. After his first round of treatments he was stable for a year and a half. Now the cancer has now metastasized. He feels well and will be alive for another holiday season. We will travel out of town to be with family.”
Sandy Perkins, Roswell: “My husband and I decided to ‘retire’ in our family home rather than downsize. Our many cul-de-sac neighbors chose to leave, and now we have several new younger families. We are so very thankful for them because they think of us as the ‘older fun couple’ who they invite to parties and family celebrations.”
Ted Shomake, Lawrenceville: “For the example my father, Don, has set for me on how to be a good husband and father. Soon after his retirement, my mother contracted senile dementia, a condition which has forced him to quit his dream retirement job at a golf course. He has demonstrated to me what real love is about as he cares for my mom.”
Harriet Harris, Atlanta: “My son — when he was about age 8 — offered this as we went around the table expressing our gratitude: ‘I’m thankful for the Earth because it gives me a place to stand.’ “
Steven Warren, Atlanta: “I’m thankful that I got to torture young men for fun and profit as the star of ‘Scarce,’ a Canadian independent horror film that premiered in Toronto last month. It’s the first feature in which I’ve received top billing in my midlife crisis career as an actor.”
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