Be thankful

We are about to celebrate another Thanksgiving. It is with great hope that we can actually say we are really thankful.

I look back on some very memorable times spent at family gatherings. I fondly remember gorging myself on turkey and dressing and so many pies and as a kid I burned off the calories before they could take effect on my body.

Not so anymore. Now, I have to pace myself.

Those Thanksgivings were also times to watch football. My favorite turkey day event was the Nebraska-Oklahoma game. There were some great tussles that made you happy to be a football fan.

The supersizing of conferences have taken those great rivalries away.

For enough money who cares. Well, as an old football fan, I care.

Even professional games have changed.

I remember when Detroit would play Chicago on a cold snowy Thursday afternoon and the fans were bundled up to the point of not actually being able to see the game. By the time they got home to a turkey dinner feast they had to thaw out for an hour first.

Dallas has had its share of cold weather games, as well, but that has all changed because of indoor stadiums.

We used to cringe when we watched those miserable snowy games on TV as we sat in a warm house watching the game with relatives.

We bring back what we once had, we just need to appreciate that it happened.

I was lucky enough to have grown up in a loving family. It wasn’t always peaches and cream and if I wanted to, I could feel sorry for myself. But then I would realize that I was well fed and the blankets in our cold bedroom did keep me warm.

I didn’t have a lot of choices as to if I was going to be a sports fan or not. Dad loved athletics and my older siblings pretty much told me who I was going to root for. It didn’t affect my psyche one bit.

Over the years, I may have changed my favorite teams, but it still seemed like a couple of my brothers and I were in agreement. The more things change the more they stay the same.

Now, that my brothers are no longer with us I kind of miss those, “Did you see that play or game! “

My sister and I agree on only one team to root for and that Is Gonzaga. After Sunday’s victory over Kentucky in Spokane, I’m thinking this too can be a special season. We can discount the toe-stubbing game at Texas last Wednesday.

On Thursday, I will sit down and watch some football and basketball, and eat some really good food. I will appreciate everything I have. I really am fortunate to have everything I need and not be greedy for not having more.

Please be thankful for everything you have this Thanksgiving and hug your family for being in your life.

— Dale Anderson is a sports columnist from Ritzville. E-mail him at

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