I don’t know about you, but Thanksgiving puts me in a good mood. Not so much the holiday, but the act. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? I’m thankful for my family, for a job I love, and the roof over my head each night. But if I give it very much thought at all, the list just grows and grows.
- I’m thankful for each of the children who sit enraptured by stories in our children’s room. I did not have stories read to me at that age – I’m so grateful they do.
- I’m thankful for a step-mom who read to a 10-year-old who thought she was too old for it, and helped me fall in love with stories for the first time – she was a librarian. I’m thankful for librarians!
- I’m thankful for the teens who need a place to grow and belong but who sometimes stretch our patience – I was banned from my junior high library my entire 8th grade year – it’s hard not to identify with them.
- I’m thankful for those of you who use our computers to find jobs or who find a quiet nook in the library to study or read. I have been unemployed, and I have needed quiet spaces in my life.
- I’m thankful for our community who rallied around us and believes in us. What would we do without them? Without you?
- I’m thankful for our board of trustees. They are seven very smart individuals who volunteer their time to preserve and advocate for a crucial community resource. I so admire their generosity and their passion.
- I’m thankful for our volunteers who understand that tasks such as moving books around the building or cutting out 200 stars really do translate into making their community a better place. They inspire me.
- I’m thankful for our enthusiastic, hard working, and resilient library employees who love the community of Greenwood in very practical ways every day. They make my job easy and I am so proud of each one of them.
- I’m thankful for being a part of our vibrant library where against all odds, the lights are on, the parking lot is full, and our community connects every day.
I’m sure there are things I could complain about, too, but I can’t quite remember what they are right now. Being thankful changes your perspective. Maybe I should do this more often!
How long will your list be? There are still a few more days until Thanksgiving – what are you thankful for?