As I write this on Thanksgiving Eve, I can’t help but ponder the blessings in my own life. My mother always said Thanksgiving was her favorite holiday because it is about being grateful for what we have: family, faith, friends, community. There is no gift-giving nor any retail bonanza; it is simply about breaking bread with family and being grateful. We have all noticed the Christmas displays at retail stores since before Halloween. It has always saddened me that such a humble and meaningful holiday such as Thanksgiving is lost year in and year out because of the spectacle of the modern Christmas. In protest, I challenge you to pause and to take stock of the blessings in your life. I mentioned family, faith, friends, and community but would like to add my library family–those men and women who I am blessed to work with nearly every day of the week. I am grateful to share their passion for the library and its meaning in the community. The library is not just a job but a passion for us. So when we say grace tomorrow at the supper table I will pray with a full and content heart to bless my library family in all that they do. I will thank God for blessing me with a group of complete strangers who over the last 5 years have become family.
-Jim Gill, Director