This past Monday morning, upon waking up, I began thinking about all the things planned for the day. Our church was hosting lunch at the Felician Center and I needed to pick up the food, and be at the center by 10:30 so we could begin serving at 11:00. After the Felician lunch I had to go to the Rotary Meeting and help with the program since it was a fifth Monday Event. Following Rotary, Momma and I were going to the church to prepare for the funeral reception on Tuesday for our friend “Miss Sarah.” And last of all, my friends in Salters and I were gathering for a short get-together that evening. It was a full day. So to prepare myself I headed to the kitchen for that essential first cup of coffee. Since it is my morning custom to drink coffee in bed while catching up on the news, I went back into the darkened bedroom and with one hand put the cup on a table by the bed and with the other hand reached for the TV remote. I really am not sure what went wrong but the coffee did not stay on the table and before I knew what was happening, hot coffee splashed all over me, the carpet, the bed, my new off-white bedspread, pillow shams, and bed skirt.

After muttering a few choice words, I found the lamp and turned on the light to assess the damage. At that point I could see coffee was everywhere. Trying to spot clean was not working, so I had to strip the bed, the bed skirt and pillow shams and get them into the washer immediately. Thankfully there were only a few spots on the bedspread. Without a doubt this additional morning task was not on the agenda. However, I can thankfully report that there was no permanent coffee stains on anything and the rest of the day went off without a hitch. Monday night as I crawled between clean sheets, I was thankful that everything had gone well, and as I thought about our friend “Miss Sarah,” I was very thankful for her life and what she meant to all of us in Salters. She will be missed.

It seems that even though life can be very challenging, there is so much to be thankful for everyday. In fact, it was just last week that the Williamsburg Regional Hospital Foundation Board made note of several accomplishments and people they were thankful for. First and foremost we are thankful for our previous director, Tammy Erwin and all she did to support the local foundation and to raise money for the hospital. We are also thankful for our new director, Debbie Ipock, and the excellent job she is doing for WRH. Debbie is making a significant difference in this community. Sharon Poston, chief executive officer, was next on the list for her enthusiasm and for the potential she envisions for the future. Debbie and Mrs. Poston are excellent ambassadors and represent the hospital and our community well. Foundation members are also thankful for the new doctors like Dr. Gamble and Dr. Fiedler who have faith in this area and in our rural hospital. We anticipate these doctors will help move Williamsburg Regional towards financial security. But, there would be no hospital if it were not for the dedication and commitment of doctors like Dr. Allen, Dr. Trefny, Dr Floyd and others who have committed their lives and their medical practices to Williamsburg County.

The foundation board members are thankful for all employees of the hospital, old and new, who work tirelessly to meet the needs of the patients and families and who promote professionalism through good work ethics. Employees like Dan Harrington, Allen Hardy, and Terry Ward are familiar and trusted faces at WRH.

As we were enjoying a delicious lunch during the meeting, it was easy to be thankful for Mrs. Betty and her dietary staff. My first job after college was serving as the dietetic supervisor at Commander Nursing Home so I understand how hard and unappreciated dietary work can be. I hope you will take time to thank the dietary staff for all they do. Another similar position might be the volunteers who tirelessly give their time to welcome visitors and to help in the gift shop.

Often it’s these generous folks who offer visitors the first impression of the hospital and the community. We are thankful to the volunteers. In addition, our board is thankful to the community which has supported the hospital and foundation for many years. We are convinced there is no finer group of people than those found in Williamsburg County.

And finally, the foundation board is thankful to Diane and Alton Boyd, Billy and Salley Jenkinson, Pam and Darren Tisdale, and Judy and Fred Gamble for hosting the Party on the Porches this Thursday night.

Again, it is only through the generosity of the people of this community that our board is able to sponsor events to raise needed funds for hospital equipment and services. Hopefully you will join us as we celebrate this place we call home and as we give thanks for all our blessings.