Americans pause today to give thanks for all of the many blessings we’ve been given.

In a world in which problems such as crime and poverty, terrorism and war are commonplace, stopping to appreciate all that we have and simply say “thanks” to each other and, most important, to God, can be a challenge.

It’s almost human nature to focus on the problems we face, not the wonderful things we’ve been given.

Certainly, our community is not immune to the problems of the world. We have our fair share of crime, poverty and other “bad” things in the world.

But we also have some amazingly good things and great people here, too.

From the simple things like living in a part of God’s earth where it’s easy to step into nature and enjoy the earth’s beauty to the heart-warming pleasure of seeing young children setting up a lemonade stand to help a local charity, we are blessed.

Our area’s spirit of hospitality, mixed with our unique history, is why thousands and thousands of people come here to visit each year.

We’re probably idealists in the minds of some. We won’t argue over whether the glass of our lives is half-full or half-empty. It’s always just enough for us to prosper and that’s all for which we can ever ask.

On this Thanksgiving Day, we are thankful for many blessings, from being able to call our community home to being able to serve each of you.

As the holiday season cranks up in full force tomorrow with “Black Friday” sales, we would all be wise to keep in perspective that all that we have is owed to a higher power, our Creator.

Have a happy, safe and blessed Thanksgiving Day.