Page 2 - November 2017 Voices

EDITORIAL Publisher

Thankfulness Phyllis Harmon, DTM

by Phyllis A. Harmon, DTM Associate Publisher
Editor/Publisher Brenda Parsons, ACS, ALS

Senior Editor
When I was growing up my mother was forever telling Phyllis Harmon, DTM
me that thankfulness was the key to happiness, great
wealth, and a satisfying life. Associate Editor
She had a notebook full of pithy sayings, and this Leanna Lindquist, DTM
was one of her favorites. She would open “the book” Layout/Design
with much aplomb, theatrically scan the page with her Phyllis Harmon, DTM
index finger, and let the words roll off her tongue like
hot honey off a the spoon. 2017-18 Officers
I always thought the thankfulness quote was her way of
telling me that I should quit grumbling and concentrate District Director
on the sunny side of life. Which reminds me of another Donna Stark, DTM
of her favorite quotes, “the undertaker stops twice as Program Quality Director
often on the shady side of the street.” John Rodke, DTM
Really? I often wondered who the sages were who Club Growth Director
thought up these bits of irrtation. Did they have great Emilie Taylor, DTM
wealth and satisfying lives? Maybe or ( just possbly)
maybe not! Finance Manager
Karen Sempervivo, DTM
Now that I’m a bit older—just passed my 69th year
on this marble—I find I’m thankful for a lot more than I Administrative Manager
used to be. Like not getting soaked on rainy days between Crystal Pugh, ACB, ALB
the car and my destination, yolks that don’t break when Public Relations Manager
they land in the frying pan, and a husband who doesn’t James Wantz, DTM
follow basketball or football. Then there are the days that ++++
I don’t make a fool of myself during table topics or trip
over my own two feet as I walk to the front of the room Cover photo provided by Harvey
to deliver a less-than-stellar speech. For those moments I Schowe, DTM, Taken on August 21,
2017 around 11:33am MDT
am most thankful. I’m also thankful for the times I spend at Rexburg, Idaho, Potter Park.
with family and friends nattering away about nothing. The weather was clear and no
My mother was right. I may not be monetarily rich, haze or clouds. ANikon telephoto
lens 200mm to 500mm with a 1.7
but life is what you make of it. I’ve found the key to teleconverter and a Nikon D7500.
personal happiness is being thankful for every breath Voices! is published monthly by
I take and the people who make my world turn. Thank District 7 Toastmasters. First issue
you for being part of my tribe. Wishing you a thankful published August 2014. Submit
and glorious holiday season. articles or contact contributors at
voices@d7toastmasters.org

2 VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5 NOVEMBER, 2017