Thanksgiving is just a week away and I was disheartened when going through some old archives to find this editorial from Thanksgiving 2015.

            "Terrorist attacks continue to threaten people everywhere and we are saddened by the deaths and pain of the victims of these atrocities.  Our nation is in the grasp of racial tensions and suspicions of police actions that we haven't seen for decades … Politics in our country, at all levels, have taken an ugly turn to a point where if you're not on the extreme left or extreme right, you're wrong. 

            But the American dream hasn't become a nightmare – it is still alive as long as we care enough to right our unstable ship.

            To many, the ears of our elected leaders have become deaf to the pleas of their constituents.  We should be thankful that we live in a country where we can vote to remove those who have taken advantage of their positions.  That is, provided we care enough to vote and that party leaders present us with candidates who are worth voting for.

            I can go on and on, but you get the drift.  If we want to change things for the better, it will be up to the people to make it – or not.

            The problems seem so big and we're so small.  When we close our eyes to them, we not only hide the bad, but we're robbed of the sight of the good."

            Things haven't changed much in six years have they?

            We need to remember the good things we have to be thankful for and give thanks that we have the opportunity to work harder in areas that need our help.

Look ahead, not behind.  Be thankful if you can take a wrong and make it right; but don't refight yesterday's battles at any cost.  Be thankful for the chance to take a lemon and make lemonade and work to correct today's conflicts.

            We should also be thankful that we can make life a bit more bearable for those less fortunate.  Natural disasters, despicable human acts, personal tragedies and vile words have brought too many people to the brink of hopelessness.

            Be thankful that you can make a difference and bring them back.

            People help people - government officials, well not so much.

            Those less fortunate need a hand up and we might just be the last chance they have.  Don't shirk the responsibility you have as a human being to do what you can to help others whenever you can.  After all, some day you may be in their shoes.

            Stop throwing stones and be the difference in somebody's life.  Be thankful that you can step up, show hate and vengeance the door, and say, "I'm better than that and I will help make things better."

            Be thankful that you can make a difference, then choose to do so.

            To all, a happy and safe Thanksgiving from the staff at the Town and Country.