As the weather begins to change, we find ourselves entering a cherished time of year. Each November, we set aside a day to step out of our daily routines, gather with loved ones, and remember how much we have to be thankful for. We do this not because our lives are without struggle, but because even in hard times, gratitude is an act of strength – and so we celebrate a day of Thanksgiving.
The story of this tradition is deeply woven into the fabric of our national identity. In 1621, after a trying winter and a hard-won harvest, the Pilgrims gathered with members of the Wampanoag tribe. It was more than a meal shared between two groups; it was a moment of grace between two vastly different peoples who recognized that cooperation could overcome hardship. That moment – one of hope – set the tone for how we have come to understand Thanksgiving as a time to give thanks, extend goodwill, and honor the blessings we might otherwise overlook.
In 1789, President George Washington formally proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving, asking Americans to acknowledge “the many signal favors of Almighty God.” While much has changed in the 236 years since, the wisdom of those words has not. Gratitude still holds us together. It helps us see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors – and as fellow Kentuckians.
We have so much to be grateful for in the Commonwealth. From the river towns of the west to the coalfields of the east, we are blessed with natural beauty, deep traditions, and resilient people. Kentucky has been blessed with strong families, local businesses that anchor our communities, and neighbors who still lend a hand when it’s needed.
In the spirit of this season, I also want to recognize those whose Thanksgiving may not hold the same privilege of being with family and friends this holiday. Many Kentuckians are spending their Thanksgiving far from home in service to our country, so that we might have the opportunity to spend ours with loved ones safely. We do not forget them; we lift them up in prayer and in action.
Thanksgiving is not just about what we have – it is about what we can give. Sometimes giving can be as simple as setting an extra place at the table, donating to a local food drive, or calling someone who is alone this season. It doesn’t have to be grand; it simply has to be given with love.
The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” Not for all circumstances, but in them. It is not always easy, but it is necessary. Gratitude reminds us that even when life feels uncertain, we are not without hope. We are not without blessings. And we are never without the ability to do good.
This Thanksgiving, my hope is that we can come together as families, as communities, and as Kentuckians – that we lay aside our political debates, even if just for a day, and remember what unites us: our shared values, our common history, and our belief in a better tomorrow.
I want to wish you and your family a safe, peaceful, and blessed Thanksgiving.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at Amy.Neighbors@kylegislature.gov and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
(HD21 – News from the Office of Rep. Neighbors)