Readers share thoughts during tumultuous year

CCM Staff Report

The modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is traced to a well-recorded 1619 event in Virginia and a sparsely documented 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day Massachusetts.

The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest, which the Pilgrims celebrated with Native Americans, who helped them get through the previous winter by giving them food in that time of scarcity.

Over the years, the celebration has blended into a time of being thankful and thanking God for the blessings He provides.

COVID-19 flipped the world upside down in 2020: parents become teachers, employees are now working from home, workers lost their jobs and businesses closed. Times have certainly changed, but as we celebrate Thanksgiving this week (in whatever format you choose) one thing is for certain: we are thankful.

We asked Messenger readers to share their thoughts on what they are thankful for this year.

Here’s what they had to say.

“I’m grateful for the Carroll County Senior Friendship Center. Among the many things they offer, they do my grocery shopping and deliver my groceries to my door, therefore helping to keep me safe during this pandemic. What an amazing organization.” –Ron Breese

“Thankful to be alive.” – Cheryl Clark Ferguson.

“I am thankful that I work in a setting that I haven’t lost my job or lost hours. I am thankful that I can still care for my children.” – Brandie Lynn Dawson

“Lately everyone is focusing on the things we don’t or can’t have. Since everyone is doing that, they forget about even the littlest things that bring happiness. I am trying to focus on the things I am thankful for in my life. I am thankful for my ability to worship our most glorious God whom I know loves me. Without him in my heart, I would be sunk. I am thankful for my family, even if we are a little dysfunctional (whose isn’t). I am thankful for my health. I am thankful for my husband, pet, children, grandchildren, friends and pastor. I am thankful for sunshine, rainbows, tears, laughter, faith, hope and LOVE. I could go on forever. No matter what I am thankful that I can be thankful of all I have and don’t have. May God’s Love and Blessings be felt by everyone during this time.” – Candie Ruby

“I’m thankful for good health. I figured with my age and heart troubles I wouldn’t be so lucky, but the good Lord is looking out for me and so many others. –Jackie Hoffman

“I am Thankful for the reminder to Live Simply. During these times, though they may be different and hard, to examine exactly what, in truth, we NEED. Then grow Gratitude from there. That everything extra is a bonus and should not be taken for granted. And I am grateful for the helpers in our communities who can lovingly recognize when someone doesn’t have all they need and share the abundance.” – Valerie Gardner

“I’m thankful that God continued to bless us abundantly during this rough year.” –Nicole Taggart