A Chanukah Message from Fran M. Putney

Eight Things

Mom’s memory isn’t what it used to be and sometimes when I visit, she inquires about the family and asks about my spouse of three decades: “Is he a good husband?” I tell her, yes, he is a good husband. Things one and two to be thankful for: A good husband and awesome soon-to-be 90-year-old parents.

In what was a happy day one recent Saturday, we connected with both our young adult children. One lives nearby, the other (sniff) on the west coast. Thing three to be thankful for: Kids that are healthy, self-sufficient and confidently march to their own drums.

As I am profoundly fortunate to enjoy a satisfying career as a writer doing what I love, thankful thing four is: Meaningful work.

When I can get it…. thing five to be thankful for: A good night’s sleep.

It is impossible to do the work I do with the Georgia Holocaust Commission in which I learn, sometimes firsthand, about the courageous stories of survival of those who managed to live through the horrors of the Holocaust and not be emotionally moved. Each person’s experience is unique, and the tales are often utterly mind-blowing. Most of us can barely imagine such events. Thing six to be thankful for: There but for the grace of God, it could have been us — the miracle that my relatives came to America in the wave of immigrants arriving in the early 1900s.

Who is not thankful for modern conveniences? Thing seven: Random stuff like Smart phones, Amazon Prime, Keurigs, Netflix, and definitely on-line bill pay.

I love being outdoors, especially in warm weather. I am rarely happier than when I am on a trail, on my bike, walking on the beach or out exploring new places with a friend or loved one, although sometimes alone is absolutely fine too. Thing eight to be thankful for: The magnificence of nature and those working to preserve our fragile earth for generations to come.

Lastly, via the Shamos, I am thankful for the beauty of our diverse Atlanta Jewish community and wish all a Happy Chanukah!

Fran Putney is a writer and editor; communications manager for the GA Commission on the Holocaust and proofreader for the AJT.