Nov. 20, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Thanksgiving is that other great American holiday, the cool fall one without the summer fireworks, the one when we give thanks to the God we trust. Our harvest was once confined to a single field. Now we give thanks for many harvests from many fields. Happy folks call them blessings.
Yet there are others, those unhappy souls in this land who don’t believe any of this good stuff. They don’t believe in progress. They say that we are such a divisive country that our future is past. You are welcome to join this group. However, don’t tell those who risk their lives to come here to enjoy our bounty.
Of course, we have divisions in our national life. Watch the superb PBS documentary, “The American Revolution.” But don’t be mislead by all the bloody scenes from 1775 to 1781, from the other Lexington to our Yorktown. Wars are the beginning of revolutions - not the end.
And how is our revolution going? Just dandy, I might add. Did you follow Virginia’s election returns earlier this month? Our three statewide offices flipped parties. And they will flip again and again. Patrick Henry, our first governor, would understand. The ship of state he helped launch, the USS Liberty, has gone through some rough waters. Nonetheless, it stays afloat. Don’t worry when it leans starboard or port.
And what about back on land in our neck of the woods? You know the drill. We forget past revolutions and start counting our blessings. Then we continue to listen to others; talk is secondary. This tends to make us happy. But what makes us really happy are our great kids. Let’s call them Annie and Alfie. Annie keeps reminding us that tomorrow is only a day away, that the future is now. So Annie gives thanks before her dreams arrives. As for Alfie, he also keeps it simple: live for the moment; give more than you receive; and be kind. Two smart kids.
So continue to enjoy our American revolution, have a blessed Thanksgiving and most of all, be thankful for those unseen things that never die. DAVID REYNOLDS Rockbridge County
