Kontos Column | Pausing to look back: A Thanksgiving Retrospective

By Dan Kontos

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us for 2020, I’d like to know if you took the time to give thanks for all the blessings in your life, or did you just count down another day to put this year behind you? I feel the need to take a look back over my shoulder occasionally and express my gratitude for all that I have navigated through in my life. If we don’t do this from time to time, I’m afraid that we all risk letting our perspectives spiral out of control.

I am thankful that I live in the greatest nation on Earth; period – full stop. A nation that has done more to advance the human condition than any other. A nation that was founded under the principles of liberty and freedom, and has fought to allow others to do the same. Despite the musings of a handful of the misguided, guilt-ridden, self-loathing, pro-socialism, or just America-hating reprobates, our country is not systemically racist, sexist, homophobic, or neo-colonial (whatever that means.) Are we perfect? No, but no society is. While the aggrieved kneel during the National Anthem, sporting their ever-fashionable Che Guevara t-shirts, I am not troubled. The Anthem isn’t being played for them.

I am thankful for my family. For my grandparents and great grandparents who came to this country with nothing, and through hard work, they achieved the American dream. For my parents who taught me to think for myself, to be kind, and to appreciate the blessings that God has granted me. For my wonderful children who are happy, healthy, and smart. For my wife that I adore and am so proud of. For the rest of my family who shares their love, and for my friends – who really are my family by choice. When all else fails, my family is always there for me. Is it the same for you? If so, have you told them how much it means to you lately?

I am thankful for our law enforcement. Those men and women who allow me to sleep well at night while they risk their lives to protect my community and my family. Men and women who have been unfairly attacked, demonized, and lied about, but do their job nonetheless. Men and women of integrity and honor who make me proud to support and defend them from those who are visionless.

I am thankful for our military. The greatest and most powerful warfighting organization on the planet, who has done more good than any other army in history. I am thankful for all veterans who have served, as well as grateful for those that made the ultimate sacrifice. I am also thankful for a Commander in Chief who has not sent them to fight any pointless wars.

I am thankful for those who serve in our government. Those who have dedicated themselves to make our communities, state, and nation work. I am often critical of government, and with good cause, I believe, but the vast majority of those in it work hard to get the job done. We can, and should debate how our government works, but don’t mistake that with being ungrateful. I am appreciative of the honest elected officials and governmental professionals, of the firefighters and other first responders, and of those people that I will never meet, but make my family’s life safer and more secure. I try and tell them that whenever I see them.

I am thankful for those who fight against the erosion of our society, who push back against mindless virtue signaling and choose to side with good over evil. I am thankful for people who help others without any expectation of a reward, who are kind to total strangers, and who accentuate the constructive over the destructive, as well as unity over divisiveness. I am thankful for my freedom of speech and for the opportunity to start a conversation with you.

Yes, Thanksgiving is now behind us, and that means in a civilized society only now can we start to listen to Christmas music. Black Friday has evolved into a month-long event, and the countdown to purchase gifts snaps into overdrive. Lack of sunlight, slippery roads, and dressing in layers are all commonplace now. Election fatigue, COVID fatigue, and families-over-for-the-holidays fatigue are all real things. When your disposition starts to get gloomy, just take a moment to look back on all the blessings in your life, and be thankful. It could always be worse. I hear that 2021 may bring infectious acne-causing flying murder weasels. No, Google told me that it’s true…

Until next time, God bless.

Dan Kontos is a paid columnist for the Metro Wire. He chooses his own topics and his opinions do not necessarily represent the staff of the Metro Wire. He lives with his family in Whiting.