AUBURN THANKSGIVING 2014 - By David Housel

AUBURN THANKSGIVING 2014 -- DAVID HOUSEL

Below is the transcript of a writing of David Housel. It was sent in an email from Tiger Rags, as part of a promotion for the “State of Auburn” tee-shirts. With many of us complaining about the football season, I thought a reminder of what makes Auburn so great in the minds and hearts of true Auburn people, is warranted about now.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us stop a minute--actually pause—and think about some of the many things we as Auburn people have to be thankful for as we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, 2014:

- Being a part of a University, a people, where pride still matters and will always matter.

- Being part of a University that affects the quality of life for people all over the world. Because of the work and research that goes on at Auburn, many of our fellow human beings are going to bed tonight without being hungry while others, some for the first time in their lives, have quality drinking water and a roof over their heads. That’s important, as important as any football game. Maybe not as fun or exciting for us, but more important.

- Being part of a University whose research is helping the nation protect itself and helping mankind reach for the stars and, the heavens, both in terms of meaning and value of life as well as for economic and scientific reasons.

- Being part of a people who love Auburn because of Auburn, not because of the number of football games won or lost. Auburn people want to win as much as anyone. Auburn people are as intent on winning and enjoy winning as much as anyone, but winning (or losing) does not measure our love for our University. Our love, our commitment, our loyalty to Auburn runs deeper, much deeper, than any athletic contest, important though they may be. Football does not define Auburn; it’s just the fun part.

- Our University being represented down through the years by men and women such as Pat Sullivan, who returns home today as the winningest coach in Samford history. He is a credit to Samford and, always and evermore, a credit to Auburn.

- His coach, Ralph “Shug” Jordan, sharing with him and with all of us his Seven D’s of Success: “Discipline, Desire, Determination, Dedication, Dependability, Desperation and, when all else fails, Damn it anyway, Do Something,” qualities will serve us well in whatever endeavor we may choose in life.

- The oaks at Toomer’s Corner were not Auburn, only outward and visible symbols of what is in the Auburn heart, in the Auburn mind and soul: a spirit that has always defined Auburn men and women and Auburn. A spirit that will not merely endure but prevail.

- Being a part of a University that imparts wisdom as well as information and knowledge. Information and knowledge plus the human touch bring wisdom. That is Auburn: wisdom.

- Auburn and the Auburn Spirit bringing out the best in human nature.

- Orange and Blue Auburn sunsets, assuring us that we are not alone, that we are pressing on the upward way, and that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. That “something” is Auburn.

- The life and many contributions of George Petrie who wrote, “Because Auburn Men and Women Believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it…”

- And for the wise man who once said, “Auburn is no Harvard, MIT or Alabama...Thank God for small favors.” During this Thanksgiving Week, 2014, let us pause and be thankful for all things Auburn.

- Being able to live in the State of Auburn. Henceforth, now and forever. Win or lose, Auburn Forever. We are a blessed and fortunate people. And football is only part of it. A very small part of it.