In Our View: Take a timeout

Opinion

Discussion

November 25, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Wed Nov 25, 2009, 06:12 PM CST

In our view, this traditional and almost exclusive American day (Canada celebrates it as well) is one of our best holidays.

We have left behind the trick-or-treaters and have yet to give serious thought to how to pay for all the Christmas gifts coming upon us. No trees or decorations for this holiday. No big parties or series of parties or events demand our time and attention.

Many, though certainly not all, are blessed with a simple assembly of family and/or friends to enjoy a really great meal, watch some football for those who like that sort of thing, take a nap, play with the grandkids, wrap up by a fire with a loved one, maybe take out some old pictures of times past, and sometimes just quietly reflect on our own what our blessings really turn out to be.

For many, those blessings are focused on friends and family. We may remember Thanksgivings with those now gone. We may watch a toddler trying to grasp hold of a finger and try to walk. Some may remember “tough times” and how we survived and even thrived in our hard work to overcome such obstacles. We may think that tough times are in fact upon us now and consider others facing even greater need than our own, and how we can lend a hand.

At least for a day, it is a time for full stomachs, warm thoughts, a timeout from the distractions of everyday life and real or imagined discord. Some, hopefully not many, may engage in heated political discussion around the table, scold a kid making too much noise or running free, burn themselves taking food out of the oven, or face other reminders of life that is not always pleasant or easy.

Timeouts are good things, at least for adults. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Text Only

Opinion

Our View: Santorum's Achilles' ear
Rick Santorum knocked everyone for a loop this week, not just with his victory in Missouri but with the landslide size of the thing.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?

February 8, 2012
Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.

February 8, 2012
Your View: Prime suspects
If it’s too cool in the house, you can turn up the heat if you think you can afford it.

February 8, 2012
Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.

February 7, 2012 1 Photo
Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).

February 6, 2012
James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.

February 4, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Water company cites reconnections

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

In Our View: Take a timeout

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Joplin City Manager Mark Rohr wants the city to distribute weather radios to all Joplin homes that don’t have one. That’s 11,000 radios. Do you think that’s a good use of $300,440?

Site Map

Contact Us