The first replacement of a knee joint is believed to have occurred during the 1860s when German surgeon Themistocles Gluck (who might have moonlighted as a carpenter) used a door hinge made of iron as the substitute. Rumor has it his patient’s squeaky knee afterwards never enabled him to sneak into the house after a late night at the pub – despite oiling up first with a greasy German brat. Fortunately for me, there have been a few improvements in hinges during the past 160 years.

During late September a team of folks installed a new knee joint for me. I couldn’t say the process was a picnic. But, it went well, considering. Time with a walker followed by a cane, medications and three wheelbarrows full of ice have me practically ready to dance a jig.

Next week, the Minot Lions Club might follow its tradition of asking a member to say a few words about Thanksgiving. In 2008, Pastor Janet Mathistad from Bethany Lutheran Church did the honors. Her message was something we all might consider. When it comes to our circumstances, some of us are “the cup’s half empty” sorts while others are “the cup’s half full” types. It does us good to stop and reflect just where we fit into the process – like the fifth graders at Minot’s Little Flower Catholic School did that particular year when asked to write down what they were thankful for. Their answers were chronicled in The MDN as follows:

I am thankful for:

Bones to hold up my weight.

Books to learn from.

A great teacher to help me throughout the year.

My parents for giving me birth.

Music because sometimes it helps make relaxing easier.

Color, because it makes everything beautiful.

My Mom and Dad, because they taught me stuff.

Dictionaries, or we wouldn’t be able to spell anything.

Sports, because we wouldn’t be in shape.

Games, or else we would be bored.

My grandpa, that he survived his 80th birthday.

My dog, because she makes me happy when I’m sad.

Shelter, because we can sleep without rain on our clothes.

My mom, because she taught me how to make scrambled eggs.

My brother, because he keeps me occupied when I’m bored.

That my mom makes me clean my room, because I like having a clean room.

That my dad teaches me tricks in math because I like knowing short-cuts.

That my mom cooks, because I wouldn’t like eating out all the time.

Being the oldest boy so I can tell my brother what to do.

That I was born in North America.

My older sister because she can drive me places.

That everyone has a chance to go to heaven.

Nice friends to listen to my problems.

We have people who take care of us like doctors, dentists, and policemen.

For a phone so I can call my friends.

Some responses are humorous while others cause you to swallow hard. When the list resurfaced during my new-hinge-convalescence, I was struck how many similar feelings have been felt in recent weeks!

This Thanksgiving, I’m going to do my best to be a fifth grader again – thankful to be blessed with a loving family as well as bones (and hinges) that hold up and move me around; to value police, firefighters, service members and veterans who make us safe; for wonderful teachers whose lessons have helped me throughout life and the Church’s help to understand I have a chance to go to heaven; for my mother and dad, who taught me stuff too, like the value of respect, hard work and honesty; a sister who continues to tolerate me bossing her around and for medical folks helping me to sneak into bed more quietly now to tell my wife, best friend, coach and nursemaid that I am so very thankful for her. Life provides much to appreciate. Why take it for granted? What blessings will you be counting this Thanksgiving?