An Editorial Opinion of The Luverne Journal

On Thursday we will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. For some, it’s a day off work, to rest and relax. Many spend the day with family and friends, enjoying turkey and all the fixings before settling in for a nap, movie or early Christmas shopping.

Some community members will spend the day alone, mourning the absence of loved ones gone too soon and a few of these will experience the love of community members who remember that holidays are not always joyful for everyone.

But amidst the feasting, parades and shopping, Thanksgiving Day is, more than anything else, a time for expressing gratitude for life’s blessings. Small town communities like those in Butler, Lowndes and Crenshaw counties overflow with blessings: the ability to live, work and worship in freedom, schools where children can receive a quality education in the safe confines of a warm, dry schoolhouse, holiday celebrations complete with colorful lights and the ability to say, “Merry Christmas” freely and with passion.

Some members of our communities took the opportunity to express what makes Thanksgiving meaningful for them. Here are a few of their entries:

“I am so thankful for my family and friends. One Thanksgiving I had a leg of lamb to cook for Thanksgiving lunch. I invited a number of my friends who had no family coming for a visit; they were going to be alone. So about 10 of us joined together for a leg of lamb and other delicious food luncheon. We enjoyed being together, and no one had to spend Thanksgiving at home alone. For years my friends told me how they enjoyed that special Thanksgiving at my home… .” ~ Jean

“Thanksgiving of long ago was all family gathered around my Mimi’s table. It was one of the few times a year [when] the Horn side of my family got together. We enjoyed talking about the year and all we had accomplished or experienced. We dined on Mimi’s best cooking. From turkey and dressing to creamed corn and dumplings [and] her famous pound cake, no one left hungry and always left with food to eat for a week. It was a time to reminisce, a time just to be together. Later on, Thanksgiving was celebrated at my Aunt’s home and now at my brother’s home. While Thanksgiving is a time for tradition, that tradition has changed with the times. We all love to get to be together and we are all thankful for the time we get to share.” ~ SalLee

“We enjoy good old southern food.” ~ Angela

Our staff is grateful for you, our readers, and for the opportunity to share the news and events important to our hometown community. We pray you have a safe and happy holiday season.

Happy Thanksgiving to you!