"For, after all, put it as we may to ourselves, we are all of us from birth to death guests at a table, which we did not spread. The sun, the earth, love, friends, our very breath are parts of the banquet... Shall we think of the day as a chance to come nearer to our host, and to find out something of him who has fed us so long?”

- Rebecca Harding Davis

Thanksgiving is a day that most of us sit down with family and, in spite of all of our good plans, overstuff ourselves, then swear we will never eat that much again and then go back in the evening for seconds.

Thanksgiving is a day that many of us watch football and catch up with family members — in some cases lots and lots of family members who pack into the house.

By the time Thanksgiving is over, we may think we’re never doing that again, but we know in our heart that as surely as the sun rises in the morning, we’ll be back again next year to celebrate the same traditions with the same people.

The last several years have been long, challenging ones, economically. Surely some are doing much better financially than others and if you have lost your job, home or fortune this past year, you might find it harder to understand why you should be thankful. We understand and sympathize.

It is in difficult times that we turn to one another and find out what our community is truly made of. Family Promise of NewRock, an interfaith hospitality network, is just one of the many organizations that have stepped up to fill the needs in our community. You can read more about it on our website.

And we are thankful for the team of economic development, city, county, water, transportation officials that worked together to keep Hillphoenix, a valued manufacturer, in Rockdale. (This story is also covered on our website.)

And all of us can be truly thankful this year when we take the time to reflect on the fact that we still have our freedoms.
Above this editorial, Rebecca Harding Davis gives many of us the greatest reason that we should be thankful. And, therefore, we thank God today for all his bounties and all his blessings and, for those with faith, we know that even in the midst of tribulations, the Lord is with us.

Here at The News, we are also incredibly grateful to and thankful for our advertisers and our readers. We recognize that without your support, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

Enjoy your families, enjoy your many blessings, don’t eat too much and, above all, remember the host who has truly made all of it possible.

So, from the entire staff here at The News, we wish you and your family a bountiful Thanksgiving.