Day 1: I’m thankful for . . .

The website morphed into something bitter, hateful and argumentative, and honestly, repulsive to look through. Not because I disagreed with what people were saying, but because of the way they were saying it.

A lot of people say you should be cautious discussing two things — religion and politics. These two subjects, above all others (aside from Alabama football), get people more riled up than anything else. It’s good to be passionate about something, anything. But that doesn’t mean you should tear down someone else’s opinion and their character because they have a view different from your own.

People got downright mean, vulgar and complacent  — all from behind the warm haze of a glowing computer screen.

Thankfulness had left the building.

So, because I never started at Day 1, I’d like to take the opportunity to name a few things I’m thankful for to catch up to the rest of you and hopefully get more positive vibes flowing in our daily lives and Internet discussions.

I’m, too, am thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful we all have a roof over our heads and food in our stomachs. I’m thankful for my health and my family’s health.

I’m thankful that we all have a warm place to sleep tonight, unlike so many struggling in the Northeast right now. I’m thankful for the people who are up there volunteering and opening their homes to strangers, or the people serving a hot meal on the street. I’m thankful to know people who are doing this and that I have people in my life who would do this.

I’m thankful that, while yes, our economy has been in better shape, it has not fallen to the point of countries like Greece, where unemployment is at 25 percent, and one-third of people in my age group are unemployed.

I’m thankful I live in a country where I have as equal of a chance to get an education as anyone else.

I’m thankful that states have the option to pass their own laws that contradict federal law if they want it for their state.

I’m thankful I have the right to vote and I’m thankful for our soldiers who are away from their families every day working and fighting so we can continue that right and continue to have the things we’re thankful for, and I’m thankful for veterans, young and old, who have returned safely.

So, despite the obvious divide in our country, whether you’re red or blue, there is still a lot to be thankful for. I’m thankful for people’s differences. It’s important to respect others’ opinions, and I’m thankful we have the right to express them.