November brings different things to different parts of the country. Here in East Tennessee, we get falling leaves, Volunteer and Titans football, and lots of food. The “lots of food” part is especially widespread across the US. Every year on that momentous Thursday, family and friends gather around the table to eat, while outside, turkeys that are still alive count their blessings. We usually forget that Thanksgiving is a meal set aside for the purpose of giving thanks and not just gorging ourselves. Over the past few weeks, I asked friends, family, and acquaintances to send me brief stories from the last year of their lives that exhibit thankfulness. I’d like to share a few of these with you in hopes that you will be reminded to count your blessings at the table this year.

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