I AM THANKFUL

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BY JESSICA VALENTINE

It’s so easy to take the blessings in our lives for granted, especially when it’s difficult to see them amid clouds of worry and stress. It’s the natural human tendency to think our problems are bigger than anyone else’s. It sounds cliché to say November is a time of “thanksgiving,” but maybe it really is a time to reflect on the things we’re thankful for in our busy, chaotic, and sometimes even robotic lives.

All of us at SPLURGE! wanted to contribute different stories from people in our city and around the world who have talked to us about the things they are thankful for. Some of them inspired us and some of them made us think twice about the things we take for granted, such as having a roof over our heads.

This is exactly what happened when I went to the Oklahoma City National Memorial one morning. As I was walking be-side the memorial chairs on the lawn where the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building once stood, I noticed a man taking pic-tures hurriedly with a wind-up camera. I smiled at him as I walked past. He smiled back and said “hello.” I introduced my-self, and he pointed to a tattoo on his arm that read, “Jess.”

 

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Meet James Grant, the first in our ‘thankful’ series. James is homeless. Currently, he resides at the City Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter downtown. But when I saw him, he looked like an enthusiastic tourist taking advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the memorial. James is a Philadelphia transplant who had only been in Oklahoma City for a week at the time I spoke with him. He said he had left his home city to escape the realities of his divorce from his wife, Jess, of whom he had been married for 20 years. After a series of blatantly poor choices and financial irresponsibility, James found himself on a bus to Oklahoma City, realizing he had no money to support himself at his destination. But as our conversation progressed, I realized he didn’t really view himself as a victim.

“Some people don’t have access to even a drink of water,” James says. “I’m grateful to still be alive and still mentally be able to challenge the obstacles before me. A lot of times when you become ungrateful, you start to do the things you want to do and not the things you need to do.”

James knows all too well what the consequences of those decisions can be. He spent almost five years in prison after selling drugs and going through a series of pitfalls, yet he counts his blessings every day. As our conversation ended and we parted ways, I realized how thankful I am for my family who at times, rescued me financially from different situa-tions in this volatile economy. The world can seem unforgiving and disenchanting, but sometimes a chance encounter with a stranger at a very sobering location, such as the bombing memorial, can change your perspective. Be thankful for the people who are there for you and offer you forgiveness when you need it the most. Not everyone has a support system to shield them from the consequences of their mistakes.

We spoke with a few others from various backgrounds. Their stories are different, but they all shared one common senti-ment: gratitude for the small things, the simple things, that most of us take for granted every day.

 

 

Karen-Wicker

“I’m thankful for the gift of turning 50. There’s something about mid-life that helps put everything into perspective. You start thinking about how to make the planet better. Not only am I older and hopefully wiser, our company, Candor, was recently named the second fastest-growing business in OKC. I’m incredibly thankful for my wonderful family and friends who supported our little start-up three years ago. While I have a few more laugh lines and grey hairs to show for it, I’m grateful for the journey!”

Karen Wicker, President and Founder of Candor, OKC

 

 

Lauren-Park

“I’ve learned that thankfulness is a posture of the heart and not circumstantial feelings. In this season, as we begin to shift away from the comforts of home as we know it, I’ve never been more thankful for the people we hold so dearly. In the farewell tears with friends, in experiencing so many “lasts” before we leave, in those final hugs with parents and grand-parents… I’m thankful for it all. There is no deeper treasure than relationship, and even in the pain, there is beauty and hope and joy, for which I am eternally grateful.”

Lauren Park, Overseas missionary

 

 

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“I’m really thankful for all of the support I’ve gotten from everyone and our music scene so far,” says Nick Hampson, who took ownership of 89th Street Collective in April 2015.

Since then, Hampson has given the popular Oklahoma City music venue a new name and makeover. Hampson says concertgoers and artists hardly recognize what was formerly known as “The Conservatory” with its new bar, name change, spacious interior and renovated bathrooms.

“It’s kind of funny because we’ve had multiple artists that come in afterward, and everyone’s reaction is pretty much the same,” Hampson says. “They’re just mind-blown that the place has changed so much.”

Nick Hampson

Owner of 89th Street Collective

 

 

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“I am very thankful for my son and my family,” says executive chef Eric Smith, owner of Sara Sara Cupcakes and Pierre Pierre Creperie. Smith added another restaurant to his plate after reopening VZD’s Restaurant & Bar with co-owner Nelson Bolen in July 2015. He currently juggles running VZD’s with preparing food for The Crown Room, managing Sara Sara Cupcakes and Pierre Pierre Creperie and spending time with family.

“My son is growing up,” Smith says. “He’s a senior in high school, and I’m learning that time is precious.”

Eric Smith, Owner of Sara Sara Cupcakes and Pierre Pierre Creperie

“I’m thankful for the opportunity to play with knives and fire everyday. (My Twitter handle is @KnivesandFire after all.) Those are the tools that I use to take terrific local ingredients and turn them into delicious dishes for people to enjoy at Slaughter’s Hall. I’m thankful for every guest that walks through the door and enjoys the delicious food that I prepare. I can make food in a vacuum all day, but with no one to enjoy it, there is no purpose to what I do. I am thankful for the op-portunity to work hard at my job developing original flavors and dishes or putting a new spin on something classic. I am thankful for an ownership group that is as passionate about service and the customer experience as I am.

 

 

Chef-Jonathan-Groth

I am thankful for the love and support of my friends and family. From honest feedback about my dishes to encouragement and inspiration that is provided almost daily. (Thanks, social media.) Mostly, I am thankful that no matter what type of day I’ve had, busy or slow, hard or easy, frustrating or inspiring, when I walk into the door at the end of a day my daughters, Greysen and Lauren, yell “Daddy’s home!,” and give me a hug. I have more than anyone could need and more than I probably deserve, and for that, I am truly thankful.”

Jonathon Groth, Executive Chef of Slaughter’s Hall and WSKY Lounge, Outside the Box Hospitality Management Okla-homa City

 

 

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“My people: the most incredible parents a man could ever hope for; a wife that is my sunrise and sunset and great kids. Everything else in life is just icing on the cake!”

Scott Mitchell, Host of Mitchell in the Morning, News Talk 1520 KOKC-AM

 

 

Mike-Butler-by-Chris-Vasquez

“My gratitude can be found in the moments I forget myself and sing as loudly as possibly in the car or perhaps those are the moments when I remember myself. It is a good movie stirring my heart to change or a book beckoning me to scan the landscape one more time for signs of life. It’s found in the cackle of my children echoing from the living room, reminding me of the joy of childhood. It’s the joy of my wife passing me in the hallway, pointing out again the glory of adulthood. I am most grateful for taste buds. It is in taste buds that I am reminded of a great and glorious God who has wonderfully designed me to have the fullest life possible.“

Mike Butler, Lead Pastor at CrossPointe Church, Norman, OK

 

 

Margaret-Head-Shot

“Before my feet hit the floor each morning, I thank God for the day and the precious gift of life that He has given me. I decide that the day will be good—because it’s my choice.

 

I’m thankful every day for my health—a great gift! I’m thankful and grateful for my friends and customers who support me in my business and for my Century 21 family who always have my back and are incredible human beings. They are the best! I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to my community—working with several organizations that help make a difference in the lives of others. I am blessed to have a loving granddaughter who brings me great joy. I’ve learned to count my blessings, stay positive and never take anything for granted. And most of all, I am thankful that I am a child of God.”

Margaret Davis, Realtor, Century 21 Golden Key Realty, Shawnee, OK

Andrea Flowers-Householter spends her days raising money for diabetes research. The goal of her work is to make oth-ers’ lives easier. This year, the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Branch Director faced some chal-lenges outside of her professional life. For Flowers-Householter, the trials have given her much to be thankful for.

 

 

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“I am thankful for many blessings this year, but especially for my daughter, Kinley, and my husband, Mark. Kinley was born April 23 and had a very rough start to her life. Her blood pressure went extremely high on day four of her life. She was diagnosed with both systolic hypertension and pulmonary hypertension, which affected the function of her heart and kidneys. After too many tests and scans to count, the core issue was identified as the vessels leading into the right kidney.

I have tested her blood pressure two to three times a day since transitioning home and now have the “green light” to test her blood pressure a few times a week. After months of continuous tests and monitoring of her renal system and heart, doctors now believe that a small vessel leading into her right kidney was blocked and the blood flow was impaired in the womb. Her right kidney is and was smaller, but it is growing; I am thankful. Although we have to constantly monitor her blood pressure, her kidneys and heart, Kinley is truly a miracle baby, and I am thankful.

My husband and I chose to lean on each other during the most challenging time in our life during her stay in NICU. Our faith strengthened our relationship and gave us the courage to watch our beautiful daughter fight for her life day after day. She is tough, she is a fighter, and more than anything, she has a beautiful spirit. We are so thankful that we have been blessed with her. More than anything this year, I am grateful to have the blessing of becoming a mother. I am forever thankful that I was chosen to be Kinley’s mom, for she has stolen my heart.”

Andrea Flowers-Householter

Branch Director, JDRF Oklahoma Chapter, Oklahoma City

 

 

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