Sunday School kids from Guthrie Center Methodist Church shared their graititude.
Guthrie Center residents — from daycare students to senior living facility residents — share their gratitude.
By Rich Wicks | Guthrie Center Times
“Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of gratitude.” — A.A. Milne in “Winnie the Pooh”
Anthropologist Margaret Mead was once asked what she considered to be the first evidence of civilization. Her surprising answer was a healed femur (thighbone). Mead explained that an early human with a broken femur could not run from danger nor walk to find food, shelter or water. Therefore, the fact that someone survived long enough for a femur to heal meant that others had stepped in to care for that individual.
A case can also be made that gratitude is proof of civilization. When we’re thankful, we are taking time to appreciate that there’s something more going on than simple, random existence. It’s deeply ingrained in humanity to be thankful to those around us, to our God/Creator, and for all of the good things we enjoy in our lives.
This time of year, we celebrate the American tradition of Thanksgiving. The tradition started at a time when the pilgrims gave thanks, even though they had none of the luxuries we now take for granted (such as stores and appliances to make a Thanksgiving feast much easier, telecommunications to share time with loved ones who are distant, and hours of football action to watch until we doze off).
To examine the current state of thankfulness, we turned to area children to find out what they are grateful for. Their answers are a combination of simple, sweet and hilarious.
Below are the comments from children including young students at Guthrie Center’s Little Charger Early Learning Center, Little Smiles and Company daycare (Adair), Guthrie Center Methodist Church Sunday School, and visitors to the Mary J Barnett public library in Guthrie Center.
- Maverick, age 3: Thankful for: My mom.
- Waylon, age 3: Thankful for: Pizza and toys.
- Estes, age 4: Thankful for: Toys and my mommy and daddy.
- Rhett, age 4: Thankful for: My mommy, food and toys.
- Evan, age 4: Thankful for: My playground.
- Corbitt, age 4: Thankful for: My birthday.
- Daemon, age 4: Thankful for: My cousin and my nana.
- Ellenor, age 3: Thankful for: Babies.
- Evelyn, age 3: Thankful for: Toys and my house.
- Treynor, age 3: Thankful for: Animals.
- Jace, age 3: Thankful for: Toys and my friend, Treynor.
- Charlie, age 3: Thankful for: ABCs and yummy food.
- Isla, age 3: Thankful for: Apples and my family.
- Huxley, age 4: Thankful for: My mommy and my dog, Kona.
- Logan, age 6: Thankful for: Mom and dad.
- Cam Swensen, age 7: I am thankful for Jesus who died for our sins.
- Morgan Andrews, age 5: Thankful for my mom, grandpa and grandma.
- Eli Langgaard, age 6: Thankful for: God. He gives us food.
- David Maine, age 5: Thankful for: Family, daddy, mama, Johnny, grandma and grandpa.
- Ryan Langgaard, age 10: Thankful for: I am thankful for gathering at Thanksgiving. Also seeing my cousins at Thanksgiving. A good meal at Thanksgiving.
- Parker, age 4: Thankful for: Family, pets, purple, snowman.
- Cora: Thankful for: Friends, family and dogs.
- William, age 8: Thankful for: Family, food, love.
- Crew, age 10: Thankful for: Cousins and family members.
- Lenox, age 8: apparently feeling this survey is too early, said he is thankful for: It’s not Thanksgiving. My mom, my parents.
- Mila: Thankful for: Rosco (my dog), mom, dad, sisters, grandmas, grandpas. Rosco comes first.
Kids at Little Smiles and Company show their thankful turkeys.
“Of all the characteristics needed for both a happy and morally decent life, none surpasses gratitude. Grateful people are happier, and grateful people are more morally decent.” — Dennis Prager
Another perspective on thankfulness comes from those who have been around this world longer. Residents at New Homestead gave thought about what they are grateful for. Their comments are shown below.
Neva Langgaard
When Neva Langgaard was asked what she’s thankful for, she gave a broad answer.
“Oh my, I have so many things. First, my family, and that I’ve lived this long. And I guess, everything,” she said. “I was born just north of Guthrie Center, and I’ve lived here my whole life.”
Langgaard pointed out that her family has mostly stayed in the area.
“I have five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and nine of them are boys. That’s why there are so many Langgaards around here now,” she said.
Looking back on her childhood, Langgaard recalled something else she’s thankful for.
“I was 17 years younger than my two sisters, so I was kind of a spoiled brat,” she said with a laugh. “I couldn’t help it.”
Larry James
Larry James is thankful for health and family.
“I’m thankful for being able to still get up and go,” Larry James said. “I’ve lived in Guthrie County for about 70 years.”
James mentioned he’s thankful for family.
“I’ve been married for 59 years. I had two children, but I lost one. My daughter and my wife live in Casey. I’ve got four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren,” James said.
He’s also thankful that he had the opportunity to serve in the Army, during the Vietnam years, although he was stationed in Germany.
Bryan Bartley
“I’m very thankful for the fact that we have strong values in this country, and hopefully those strong values will bring us through the current challenges in our country. It’s going to take us as a whole to survive this,” Bryan Bartley said. “Somehow, this country always gets it right.”
Kathy Kretzinger
Kathy Kretzinger and Barb Edwards are thankful for their friendship.
“I’m always thankful for my family. We have a large family with four kids, 11 grandkids, and 24 great-grandkids and one great-great-granddaughter,” Kathy Kretzinger said. “So, of course, that’s my life and my whole being. My husband lives here as well, so I’m thankful that we can be together in these times when we’re getting just a little bit older.”
Kretzinger added that it’s tough to recall what she was thankful about before she married and started raising a family, because she married at the age of 14.
“It’s been 67 years of marriage, and we were always happy,” Kretzinger said. “I went back to school and got my degree, so that made me very happy.”
Barb Edwards
“I’m thankful that, at this stage, I’m still alive. And I have a boy and a girl,” Barb Edwards said. “My husband passed away from mesothelioma. My stepmother is here in this home, too.”
Edwards added that she’s thankful for her grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She’s also grateful for the staff at New Homestead.
“I’m very thankful that I’m here,” she said.
In talking with Kretzinger and Edwards, they came up with another thing they both are thankful for: their friendship. Although they’ve only been roommates for a few weeks, they have come to appreciate each other.
“We’ve become really close friends, and I don’t know how I get through a day without her,” Kretzinger said.
“We haven’t known each other very long, but we have a lot in common,” Edwards said. “How lucky can you be?”
Residents at New Homestead are thankful for getting out and about.