D. Barbara McWhite grew up in York County, S.C., and lives in Orange Park, Fla., with her husband and cat. Her column is published here each Tuesday. Opinions expressed are solely her own.

Thanksgiving Day is almost here. That means it’s time for holiday meals and for appreciating the blessings of life.

And in today's economic and social climate, it is perhaps more challenging to find reasons to be thankful. Many of us have faced joblessness or wage cuts. The spiraling costs of fuel and food have cut even deeper into our family budgets.

We have a tradition in our home. As we all gather around the Thanksgiving table — laden with its sumptuous fare — we each, in turn, say aloud what we are most thankful for. Invariably, we are each thankful for friends, family, health and our measure of prosperity.

Of course, it’s always good to be thankful for our family's love and for the tangible things that give our lives comfort and purpose. And while many of the tangibles that we have been able to count on may be less secure this year, we should be reminded that we are still blessed … to be alive ... with sane minds ... with vigorous spirits.

So if you are gathered around the dinner table this year and are asked to express your thankfulness and find yourself speechless, I have gathered together a few suggestions that you should feel free to borrow.

• I'm thankful that I am not the grocery bill at a local food store — ridiculous.

• I'm thankful that I'm not a black hair on President Obama's head — lonely.

• I'm thankful that I am not Lindsay Lohan's bail bondsman — exhausted.

• I'm thankful I'm not a Bernie Madoff investment tip — useless.

• I'm thankful that I'm not the Republican presidential candidate's backside — soon-to-be whipped.

• I'm thankful that I'm not the Humphries/Kardashian letter carrier — confused.

• I'm thankful I'm not the love Qaddafi bore for Condoleeza Rice — sick.

• I'm thankful I'm not Michael Vick’s rib cage on a Monday morning — broken.

• I'm thankful I'm not an NBA star's paycheck — missing.

• I'm thankful I'm not Herman Cain's presidential campaign — dead.

Happy Thanksgiving and best wishes for a safe and merry holiday season.

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