John,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Each year I like to think about this day of thanks with a theme. This year, my theme is one of forgiving. While it is easier to be grateful, please consider the harder path of forgiving as well.

I am grateful beyond words for my family, my friends, and for a job I love. While sometimes I question why we are given challenges, I also try to renew my sense of immense gratitude for all the amazing gifts in life, but also try to think about challenges in a different light, as a new opportunity.

Forgiving people, places and events on the heels of gratitude is truly the dynamic duo of happiness.

Our country has been through immense pain and we are more polarized than ever before. That said, our only path forward begins with gratitude for neighbors and yes, work on forgiving those neighbors we disagree with. While we need to defend our country and our democracy, always, we do need to find a path forward.

The path begins with listening, talking, and understanding -- even when it is hard. We of course, need to stick to our principles and perhaps, we may not come together with everyone, but we do need to at least try or the good of democracy and our country.

So let's not change our principles and values, but let's try to listen, understand, and yes -- forgive.

God Bless!

- Marie