By Don Meyer, Ph.D.

“Thanksgiving Day is no longer a solemn festival to God for mercies given. . . it is a holiday granted by the State and the Nation to see a game of football.” - New York Herald (1893)

There are some things “in my world” that just seem to happen automatically. I don’t ask someone to do them. They are not on my “to do” list or even in my short-term or long-term plan. Nor can you find them on my personal mission statement. It seems like “in my world” they just happen.

I have been thinking about this for quite some time. In fact, as I look around me I find these routine happenings, just about everywhere. “In my world” some of these things amaze me and some of them I unfortunately even take for granted. “In my world” a simple trip to the grocery store is filled with the evidence of countless complex interdependent elements that just seem to be there. The sources of these elements extend far beyond anything we could have caused. Keys. Clothing. Tires. Food. Traffic. Signs. Mirrors. Lights. Steel. Concrete. People. Blacktop. Paint. Plastic. Paper. Money.

The list could be endless. When I think about it, “in my world” (and I’m sure yours) these things are everywhere. How dependent we are on so many people. “In my world” clean clothes just seem to appear in my dresser; my white handkerchiefs are ironed; my ties are organized; my dirty dishes are cleaned.

“In my world,” our mail is opened; our bills are paid; our closets are neat; our children’s birthdays and anniversaries are remembered; our holidays are planned; our calendar is prioritized and our inside plants are watered.

Sure, I certainly do my part “in my world” but this is not about me and what I do. Instead, this is rather about what takes place “in my world” because of the amazing people around me. They seem to be everywhere.

Evie’s part “in my world” could never be calculated. For over 44 years she has made my life easier, “funner”, simpler, sweeter and better than I could have imagined. “In my world”, she is my world.

“In my world” the phone rings and from Minnesota come voices and laughter, and news and questions. “In my world” the joys of parenting and grandparenting fill my life with deeper and richer meaning as the years go by.

“In my world” mere places on a map take on huge significance because of family and friends: Pennsylvania; Illinois; North Carolina; Belgium; Finland; Argentina; Virginia; Kenya; Arizona; Missouri; Iraq.

“In my world” my colleagues/my friends are loyal and hardworking; students are gracious and caring; neighbors are industrious and good.

“In my world” roads get fixed; groceries are on the shelf; electricity stays on; restaurants are open; the bank keeps good records; politicians represent me; schools are open; coaches develop athletes; referees and umpires keep order; fire and police services function; taxes get processed.

“In my world; you find a Chamber of Commerce, religious institutions, a place where my car works; my mail gets processed; the radio and television work; the doctor is available; a good hospital is nearby; the law is applied; the internet works; airplanes fly.

“In my world” this newspaper “The Voice of Grace and Truth” allows me to publish this column.

You get the idea. This is the month of November and it is a great time to acknowledge how dependent we really are on each other. To all who are “in my world” who help make my life better than I could ever deserve - - Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Think about it.

Dr. Don Meyer is President of Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, PA. He is a native of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Evie have two sons Darin and Kevin and one grandson, Noah.