As you’re reading this column, perhaps you’re relaxing in your easy chair with the TV a buzz in the background or maybe you’re sitting at the breakfast table with a hot cup of coffee and a pop tart warm from the toaster. Perhaps you just tucked in the kids and are finally settling down for a few minutes of peace and quiet, or maybe you’re on your break at work.

You’ve probably scanned the front page and are now making your way through the paper. Section by section you’ll glance through the pages, read an article here and there, scan the ads. You might find yourself thinking: “I didn’t know he’d passed away,” or “She was certainly a nice lady,” as you glance over the obituaries. You might think “It’s about time someone said something about that,” as you read a letter to the editor. The editorial might make you stop and think about an issue. Perhaps you’ll read about what happened in Wallsburg or Midway. Who knows, maybe you’ll read the entire paper, cover to cover.

But what happens when you’ve finished reading this rag? Chances are this edition, like most old newspapers, will end up in the trash. Oh, maybe you’ll save an article for Aunt Martha or send the entire paper on to your sister in California. You might clip out a recipe or something funny from Baxter Black’s column. You might use it to start this evening’s fire, or put it on the floor when Bobby paints his model so he doesn’t get paint on the carpet. It might even make it to the bottom of the birdcage or even the paper-recycling bin.

However, you probably won’t use it to put in the bottom of your shoes because your sole has worn too thin and it would help keep out the moisture. It won’t be used to stuff in the crack in the wall to keep the wind and weather from blowing in as you sleep. And it won’t be used to keep the roof from leaking, either. It won’t be used as toilet paper, and if you use it for wrapping paper, most likely it’s because the package you’re wrapping is too big for regular gift-wrap. You likely won’t be grateful for this newspaper as a bed on which to rest, or as a blanket to cover you as you sleep.

But someone, somewhere might.

You might not have as nice a car as you’d like, or live in the mansion you’ve always dreamed of. You probably don’t have a maid or a live-in butler and chances are you weed your own garden, wash your own clothes and clean your own house. Your closet may not be full of the latest fashions and you’re probably going to have to pinch pennies for Christmas this year.

But this Thanksgiving, be grateful you rely on the Wave to bring you the news – what’s going on in the community, what’s going to be on sale, how the high school teams are doing, etc. and that you don’t have to rely on it for the other things it might offer. Have a happy Thanksgiving.