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Why Thanksgiving isn't a holiday

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By KYLE MARTIN

Published: November 22, 2007

Most people see Thanksgiving as a day set aside to muse on the blessings in their life, but not me.

Let me explain.

Of all the beats that make up a newspaper - education, government, politics - my job covering breaking news is the closest to the raw nerve of humanity.

When your husband is maimed in a car accident, it will be me knocking on your door. You'll invite me in your home and tell me that, because of that drunk driver, there's no way to pay for groceries much less the mounting medical bills.

Or the day you discover your wandering toddler floating in the backyard pool, it's my task to bring that story to the community. Numb with grief, you'll tell me through your tears that you turned your back for "just one second."

Those are harsh examples, but it's the reality of life. It can happen.

When I bring these stories back to the office, somehow I have to translate that bitter pain into an objective, black-and-white article. It's not easy. More than once I've blinked back my own tears as I finish typing.

So what does this have to with Thanksgiving? I know it's going to sound corny, but every day is a chance to give thanks for me. I know how bad it can be.

Oh sure, before I took this job I knew bad things happened to good people (and bad ones, too). But I held fast to the belief that, "It will never happen to me."

Now I know. And I savor the sweet soap smell of my baby girl's hair that much more. I give my son a tight hug before I leave for work. I never fail to tell my wife, "I love you."

Because all it takes is an instant to change everything.

I've seen the blackened family photo in a living room gutted by flames. The wail of a mother at her teenager's funeral is something you never forget.

That's why I appreciate my soft bed and a roof over my head; the shrieks of joy that escape my son when I chase him around the house; my daughter snuggled up against my chest.

To me, Thanksgiving is just an ordinary day made sweeter with pumpkin pie.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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