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Weekly hillcountryweekly.com
Thursday, November 26
Happy Thanksgiving!
Lesley Nabors is happy to have her husband back home from Afghanistan, and their grandson is happy to have Pa-paw back home.
The Boerne and FOR Community
Reflect on their Blessings Miranda Koerner Hill Country Weekly
As Charles Dickens once famously wrote in A Tale of Two Cities: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” If any quote could sum up the turmoil of 2020, I think Dickens would agree, his age-old words still remained perfect. But here in our corner of the Hill Country, just like in jolly old England, there has been light and dark, joy and sorrow for the families here. In their words, they’ve shared what they’re grateful for this year. Having Her Wounded Warrior Back Home Lesley Nabors and her family have already been through the wringer after her husband was injured in the Army in 2010, but even after her husband got COVID in Afghanistan while working as a contractor for the Army, she feels the time together has allowed them time to heal and reconnect. “We’ve been through so much,” Nabors said. “He couldn’t accept having to retire from the Army (after his injuries) and attempted to commit suicide. (Eventually), he found his faith in God again and began to work out again, and eat better. While he was working in Afghanistan, I was struggling without him and couldn’t sleep. I felt like we were spiraling out of control.” When the pandemic hit, Nabor’s husband was sent back home. Since then, he’s stepped up helping Nabors follow her dreams and spending time with his threeyear-old grandson, who loves his Pa-paw. “I’m grateful I have him here,” Nabors said. “He pushed me to start my own small business and stepped up for me and my kids. People don’t understand the value of someone’s life. I’m just grateful he’s here, healthy and that he’s part of our family again after being gone emotionally for so long.” Nabors hopes to start a coffee chat at a local hotel or coffee shop when the virus is over, to help lend a sympathetic ear to all the military spouses and families who are aching for support. “I know some people just want a kind word or shoulder,” Nabors said. “I feel like heartache is heartache; hurt is hurt. It would be so helpful to just get it off our chest. I felt sometimes we weren’t going to make it and our family wasn’t going to make it. When we’re hurting, we’re all the same inside. And we can put that aside and help people.” Local Philanthropy Despite what many non-profits thought, people have been opening their wallets to help – not closing them. “I’m the executive director of the Boerne Education Foundation at Boerne ISD and I’m thankful for generous donors,” Yvette Reyna said. “During the pandemic we had to cancel our largest fundraiser Rock On last March. We decided to host our first in-person event Purse Mania 2.0 and we sold it out in record time 17
days. I’m thankful and honestly blown away, that while the pandemic has affected so many in our community, that people, friends and strangers find it in their heart to give, it’s become part of our DNA during times of crisis and normalcy.” Debi Watson, who works at Hill Country Daily Bread Ministries, said that she’s seen an increase of help for those who are struggling. “I am overwhelmed by the caring community we live in,” Watson said. “I have seen an outpouring of love with people donating food, hygiene items and diapers as well as their time to serve the ever-increasing number of families impacted during this time. I love how those who are able to give do so, and those who need help are not afraid to ask for it. I am so grateful to live in Fair Oaks and love the people in it.” April Ancira didn’t have high hopes for helps with her organization, but was blow away. “I truly thought levels of philanthropy would plummet, and for good reason,” Ancira said. “However, I cannot tell you the sheer tears of joy I had when I not only saw an increase in donations for United Way from our team, but from numerous organizations in San Antonio, Fair Oaks Ranch, Boerne and Floresville. That is just one example, because it did not end there. I witnessed floods of people responding to calls of action from the food banks to shelters, from $5 donations to million-dollar ones. It was heartwarming to see all hands-on deck. I am incredibly grateful I live in a community that has such an enormous heart.”
Daniel Wood lost his father, Scott Wood, to complications from the coronavirus. Along with spending time with his rescued German Shepherds, Scott created Quibbley, a cartoon character which appeared in the European Stars and Stripes newspaper for 10 years and spawned nine books and several posters. Those Touched by the Coronavirus For some of our community, their loved ones did not escape the effects of the coronavirus. Daniel Wood, who was separated across an ocean from his father for most of his life, was appreciative he got to spend his final days with his father before he passed from coronavirus complications. “My father lived in Germany for most of my life,” Wood said. “I’m thankful that he moved back to Boerne and lived his last two years here, getting in quality time
with his children and grandchildren.” Martha Zurita lost her brother to complications from COVID-19, but was happy her 81-year-old mother survived it. “My 59-year old brother lost his battle in August, and I am grateful that my mom survived,” Zurita said. “Sounds strange (to be grateful when we lost him), but I am grateful that both did not pass. They both contracted it in July.” Some got more than their fair share of the virus. “There are several things that I am very thankful for this year,” Teri Zarate said. “First of all, my life, family, my kids, and my job; but most of all is that I still have my husband. He’s beat COVID-19 twice already these past few months. It was tough for the him both times, but with God’s good strength and faith he made it through. I couldn’t be more thankful.” And some of us helped on the front lines. Art Smith, who participated in the Pfzier trial vaccine, is hoping the future looks brighter. “In this otherwise bad year, I am very grateful for three things: the success of two (so far) vaccines, the amazing price appreciation in Tesla stock and the amazing success of Space X who will change the high cost of reaching space and allowing many more amazing things to happen,” Art Smith said. “Their recent successful launch of 4 astronauts to the International Space Station and their fast-paced work at Boca Chica are just the most recent examples.” Helping Your Neighbor For many, it was simple acts of kindness that made this year bearable. “I’m so thankful for loving family that has done so much for us since this COVID-19 distancing began,” Marilyn Kruso said. “Our son-in-law Mike and daughter Amanda are the best!” Donna Crissy agreed. “I’m grateful to be back home in Texas,” Crissy said. “I’ve lived in many different parts of this country but Texas is the only place where complete strangers will rush across a parking lot to help me load something heavy at Home Depot, whether I need help or not. It happens every time, and even my husband has experienced it. I’ll never get over it or take it for granted because believe me, it’s never happened anywhere else. Thanks, Texans!” For others, being able to help is a blessing. “This year my husband, Jim, and I have been blessed to be part of PraySA, the city wide movement for restoration and bridge building among all of us in the San Antonio/Hill Country area,” said Janet Chism. “Focusing on others has truly helped us open our hearts to understanding and acceptance of others from all walks of life. We all need peace and hope for our future together.” And for most of us, we have one hope this holiday season. “I am so thankful that my husband and I have remained heathy and safe during this COVID-19 pandemic,” Janice Thompson said. “We are truly soulmates. Although we have not seen our extended family for quite some time, we are both very grateful that they all are staying healthy as well.”
