I’ve gotten in the habit over the past few years of writing during Thanksgiving week about all the things for which I am thankful. I wrote the first in 1995, and just sitting down and making the list for the first time can be a lot of fun.

Over the years the column has become an annual benchmark of sorts for me. Time to count my blessings as the old saying goes. I have realized there is something to this blessing-counting business that is really quite gratifying. Here is this year’s list. I am thankful:

For Emily, Mary Kathryn, Jackson and Henry Carpenter.

To live in the South where hospitality is the rule, not the exception.

That most people where I live still pull to the side of the road as a funeral procession passes.

For a pretty good dog that, despite not picking up birds in the field (or anything else I’d like him to retrieve), barks at would-be intruders, has quit chewing on things and generally earns his keep.

For another pretty good dog that will pick up birds in the field and even points on occasion.

For the folks running this year’s United Way Campaign, for every single person who has pledged money for the campaign, for Monica Lynch who puts a ton of energy into running the United Way and for the people who put the money to work in the 26 agencies our United Way serves.

To live in a country that allows me the freedom to celebrate Thanksgiving.

To live in a fine city where you can find most anything you need, a place where people are serious about shopping locally and keeping our hard-earned money in our town where it benefits our friends, families and neighbors.

That my wife knows how to make banana pudding and lemon “icebox” pie from scratch.

For the people I read about in The Democrat’s recent Veterans Day section, and for all their counterparts who served to protect the freedoms we all enjoy.

For all the armed forces and civilian personnel working to protect our freedoms today, at home and abroad.

That Alabama beat Auburn, bad.

For my church.

To have been raised in a family that taught me why we celebrate Thanksgiving.

To work with a group of people dedicated to producing the South’s best community newspaper. And, I’m thankful for the recognition they earned and received when named Mississippi’s best community daily newspaper for the fourth year in a row in a recent contest. They are a credit to our community.

To have a wife, mother, father, brother and sister who are also my best friends.

For two really cool photo albums my wife finished this year.

For my Aunt Nell, who passed away last week. You know you are a superstar when your first or last name can be omitted and most folks still know who your are. For years people around our parts knew her simply as Aunt Nell. She spent 79 years taking care of other people, the final 59 married to my Uncle James. She had more common sense than any 100 other people combined. She cooked cornbread and banana pudding that cannot be matched. She took responsibility for “healing” every sick child in our family for a period that spanned five decades and three generations. She toted a Bible, prayed every day and could catch fish when the fish weren’t biting. She will be missed.

For God, who is responsible for all the blessings on this list.

Todd Carpenter

is publisher of The Democrat. You can reach him at (601) 446-5172, ext. 218 or by e-mail at

todd.carpenter@natchezdemocrat.com

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