I have always enjoyed this time of the year. The Thanksgiving season always provides me a special opportunity to reflect on the many things for which I should be thankful. I hope you are doing the same during this special time of the year.

Like so many of you, I have much more to be thankful for than can be discussed in this short column. Therefore, I will limit my comments to those things closely related to my profession as a public servant and as Extension worker in Robeson County.

I am most thankful for my patient and understanding wife, my wonderful family, and my relationship with God. These are things that are especially special to me but things that should be special to each of you as well.

As County Extension Director in the greatest county in North Carolina, I am thankful for the wonderful and diverse staff that work with me to serve the citizens of this county. Without exception, each of them is totally dedicated to their work, and they make sacrifices every day in order to provide assistance to as many people in the county as possible. Each of them is professional, highly competent, and a tremendous asset to the Robeson County Extension team.

I am thankful for all of the wonderful people I have had the opportunity to meet and work with during the 32 years I have lived in this county. During my military service and during my work career, I have had the opportunity to live and work in many communities. Some of these communities were in North Carolina, some in other states, and some were even in other countries. I can honestly say that I have never met more down-to-earth and more friendly people than those who live in Robeson County. Maybe it is because of the kind of work that I do and the type of people I come in contact with on a daily basis. I always see the good in these people. I also sense that each of them has a strong concern for other people and a genuine willingness to go out of their way to help others.

Since I work so closely with farmers and agribusinessmen, I am thankful for the opportunity to work in the largest and most dynamic agricultural county in the state. There is always something happening on the farms in this county, and the farmers and agribusinessmen who are making things happen seem to be so proud of what they do. They may be frustrated at times because of the weather or prices, but they continue to be optimistic, and they always seem to be willing to share what they have or what they know not only with me but with others as well.

I am especially thankful that I live in a nation with an abundance of safe, healthy, and readily available foods. I never forget that my farmer friends in Robeson County play a major role in making sure that I have plenty to eat. I see them every day as they plant, nurture, and harvest a variety of crops, and as they grow and care for the animals that will become our food. Much of what they grow will wind up on our grocery shelves and ultimately on our dinner tables.

I have made many special friendships since moving to this county. I cannot name each of them. If I tried to list why each of them is special to me, they would only think that it was nothing out of the ordinary and nothing anyone else would not do. Each of these people has a special meaning to me.

• Some of them for their willingness to help without asking why.
• Some of them for their understanding patience as I try to learn more about what they are doing and how I can better help them.
• Some of them for demonstrating such a friendly and positive attitude that often brings me back to the reality of everyday life.
• Most of all, for the examples so many of them set for others as if to tell me I should do the same.

I am thankful for these special friends because of the respect they show to me even though I often feel I have done nothing to earn it. I am especially thankful for the support they eagerly provide to me and my staff in all we try to do. No matter what happens in the future, I will always remember and be thankful for these special friends.

I have a lot for which to be thankful. I will use this special time of the year to remind myself of these things that I so often take for granted. Let me encourage you to do likewise.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 12/18/02