If someone were to ask me what is the one thing for which I am most thankful, I don’t think I could give an answer. 

There are so many things to be thankful for, and like so many of us, I realize there are far more good things in our lives than those that bring us sadness. 

But how do you pick just one? It’s too difficult to choose in our community, so let’s not worry about doing so. That’s the beauty of Thanksgiving Day; it’s the one day a year built around the important idea that we all need to pause, reflect, and give thanks for the good in our worlds. 

So, in no particular order, these are just some of the many things I am thankful for about living in our community. 

1. I am thankful to all our blessed friends. They always love you no matter your faults and make your day better. 
2. I am thankful for our business community and how through the pandemic they held on and we all supported each other. We were the true definition of community in the most difficult months. I am still amazed at the dedication of the 50 new business owners during this time and the more than 200 new jobs they created.
3. I am thankful for our amazing schools and churches with their hardworking teachers and kind congregations. They each serve similar purposes. One is to educate the mind. The other is to educate the spirit. I think, though, that they both do a little of each and help make our young people productive and thoughtful members of the community we love. 
4. I am thankful for all the things we sometimes take for granted. Food on our tables. Hugs from our loved ones. The beauty of our town during this season and beyond. 
5. I am thankful for my friends and family, those still with us and those who have moved on to a better place. 
6. I am thankful for all of our first responders who risk their lives everyday to keep our town and parish safe during dangerous times.
7. I am thankful for this simple Thanksgiving day, this American tradition to spend with family and friends. 
8. I am thankful for my faith, my Lord, my Savior, for these blessings and all the others we have been given. 

Looking back on this list, I realize there are many other gratitudes that could be added, but the Lord knows what’s in my prayers of thanks every night. I just wanted to take a brief moment on this special day to share with you what was on my heart and hope you too see all that we have to be thankful for in Minden. 

I hope we continue to realize we are all human and all have the desire to do what we think is right for our community and those who call it home. Let’s all ask for the strength to keep the power of Thanksgiving alive throughout the year so we can all be the people God wants us to be. 

So, on this November day, I would like to extend to all of you a happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful to serve you as the mayor of what will continue to be the best small town on Earth. 

Terry L. Gardner

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