By Jean Eaton, Albert Lea Mayor

As we begin the holiday season, it’s easy to focus on Christmas and New Year’s celebrations and lose sight of what I consider to be an important holiday for all of us: Thanksgiving. Reflecting on this past year, I think many of us tend to concentrate on business or personal issues that we have had, as well as the challenges and the current economic conditions we all face. Instead, as Thanksgiving approaches, I think it’s much more appropriate to think about things that we should feel so fortunate to have rather than the trivial things that we may not have.

The world has become a much smaller place through the media bringing parts of it into our own living rooms.

As we watch the world news it becomes much more apparent to all of us how very fortunate we are to live in this country and this community, where we have freedoms and opportunities.

Thanksgiving is also a time that brings families and friends together.

Please remember our brave men and women who are serving our country and will not have the opportunity to be with their families over this special holiday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they try to make a world a safer place for all of us and also help create a world where people are able to share the freedoms that we as Americans sometimes take for granted.

Let’s not forget our own friends and neighbors who may be alone, ill or struggling financially right now.

Sometimes life serves us a &uot;curve ball&uot; and we need extra help and support. These are tough times, but we are fortunate to live in a community that is striving to improve the quality of life for all residents. We can make life better when we all join together to make a difference.

Sometimes all it takes is giving someone an extra smile; touch or offer of help can make the difference in someone else’s life.

I want to take this opportunity to wish each of you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving.

Please take the time this Thanksgiving to reflect on the many things you are grateful for and use that thought as we enter into the New Year with a positive outlook at the opportunities ahead for all of us!

(Jean Eaton is the mayor of Albert Lea.)