Much to be grateful for

This is a MERLIN LCD magnifier of the type contributed to the Olympia Host Lions Club recently.

Photo by Danny Stusser

 Thank You …

Christmas is only a week and a half away so I’ve been thinking about all the things I have to be grateful for this past year.

First of all, I am grateful to God, the doctors, nurses and my amazing granddaughters who have taken such wonderful care of my newest great-grandson, Willow. Arriving at a birth weight of 1 pound 1 ounce, Willow the Warrior is now over ten pounds and thriving. His tests are all positive and he is in good health.

I am also grateful for my first great-great-grandson, Julian, who also is thriving. His mom and dad are doing a great job with him and he is a delightful baby.

A great-granddaughter also arrived last year, Aleena. Her mother carried and gave birth to her while awaiting back surgery, which she has now had and is home recovering in time for the holidays.

There is nothing but joy in my heart when I think of all of my family.

Secondly, I would like to thank the readers who took the time to email their kind comments and cards for the passing of sweet Bambi last week. It meant a lot to me. I had two wonderful years with that sweet dog and I am grateful for our time together.

Next, as a member of the Olympia Host Lions Club, I am grateful and proud to be part of this group and their good work. Last Saturday, we held a grand re-opening for the Corbin Low Vision Resource Center (LVRC). 

Visitors included an Olympia City Council Member, physicians, club members, American Lake VA, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Olympia Federal Board, Hope Vision Foundation, The JOLT’s publisher, and community members with low vision.

The founder of the LVRC, past Lions Club president, Carl Corbin, made the trip down from Seattle to receive a special award from the present club president, Michael Petty.

We received donations of cash and one brand new Merlin closed-circuit video magnifier. The cost to buy one of these is almost $4,000, so this donation was exceptional indeed. We have one more to loan out to our community neighbors with low vision.

A lot of work went into putting the event together and I am grateful for the support of my fellow Lions.

Last. But not least, I am grateful to live in this beautiful state capitol. I love the generosity of material and spirit of my community. I love the groups that give freely when a need is mentioned. I love that we support our small businesses and each other.

I have much to be grateful for and I most definitely am.

Kathleen Anderson writes this column each week from her home in Olympia.  Contact her at  kathleen@theJOLTnews.com or post your comment below.