As Thanksgiving approaches, I have begun to count my blessings as I have done in previous years, and thank my God for another wonderful year.

I am thankful for the outstanding doctors who performed surgery twice on me during the year, and the nurses and other health-care providers who fulfilled my every need during my hospital stays.

I am thankful for my seven children who flew into town willingly and delightfully, and assisted me during my recovery in the hospital and home. Their provision and care were superbly done.

I am thankful for my 11 grandchildren who called daily to talk, and for the older ones who said, "We are praying for you to get well, granddaddy."

I am thankful for family, friends, neighbors, former co-workers and students, church, board and club members who called, visited, sent flowers, fruit baskets, e-mails, best wishes and cards.

I am thankful for my late wife, of whom one of my friends has said, "God threw away the mold when He made her."

She was a great mother and role model for our children and others. She loved Christmas, the giving of gifts and the smell of a live Christmas tree.

I am thankful for our present day armed forces and veterans.

I am thankful to live in the greatest country in the world -- where many wrongs have been made right -- and the transition of leadership is done orderly and peacefully, and the old leadership moves on.

I am thankful to tell productive little boys and girls that any one of them can grow up to become president of our country, regardless of race or gender -- and I would hope religion, too.

Happy Thanksgivings to all!