The ice skates and sleds may stay in the shed this year; the weatherman says, worryingly, that we should expect even less snow. Thunderclouds and tech billionaires are gathering in Washington, D.C., giving stomach ulcers to those concerned about the global state of democracy. Higher education is under ideological attack and elementary schools are being asked to ban books by writers like Toni Morrison. There are only 372 Atlantic right whales left in the ocean. Good Lord, what a mess in Ukraine. And what a horror show in Gaza. But it is exactly in unsteady times like these, when the world seems gloomiest and the portents darkest, that it makes the most sense to count our blessings. What other fuel is there, to drive us forward to brighter days, except gratitude for what we do have that’s healthy, hopeful, and good?
Here’s what we are most grateful for on Thanksgiving eve, 2024.
We are thankful for our public libraries, among the best small libraries you’ll find in any small town, anywhere in America. Librarians, we salute you.
We’re thankful for the trails that give us free and unfettered right to roam our wild places, woods, parks, and preserves. We’re thankful for the dedicated East Hampton and Southampton Trails Preservation Societies and groups like the Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt and the East Hampton Town Department of Land Acquisition and Management that maintain the trails, clearing the brush and repainting the blazes.
We’re thankful to live so close to the water, with the ocean sparkling to the south and the bays beckoning to the north. We’re thankful we can see humpback whales breaching, spouting, and feeding on schools of menhaden right from shore. What a blessing!
We’re grateful for the hard-working health care professionals who keep us well and help us when we’re sick. And for our ambulance volunteers who show up for our neighbors in moments of crisis. And for our volunteer firefighters who impress us every day with their dedication, leaping out of their beds to run to the rescue in blizzard, heat wave, or hurricane.
We’re thankful for all the coaches of Little League, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, track and field — and the umpires, too. The lessons the young athletes learn in sports are character-building gold in the bank.
We’re grateful to all the teachers, substitute teachers, and teaching assistants who show up every day for our children. You all deserve a raise.
We’re thankful for quiet months of winter, when the traffic lulls and we find a moment’s peace. We’re thankful for all the mom-and-pop businesses that keep their doors open and serve us year round.
We’re thankful for the farmers and farm hands who provide us with the bounty of produce we’ll eat tomorrow, especially the good Long Island brussels sprouts to roast, cauliflowers to smother in cheese sauce, and potatoes to mash. We’re grateful for the fishermen and baymen bringing us the blackfish, striped bass, bay scallops, and royal red shrimp.
We are grateful for gravy.
We are extremely grateful for the advertisers and subscribers who support us at The East Hampton Star, keeping the star of ethical, high-quality local journalism blazing bright here on the South Fork.
And, finally, we are grateful for all you readers out there. By taking the time each week to buy the paper, read, and ponder the news, you demonstrate your care for this community — and it is you and us, together, who have preserved and will continue to preserve all of the goodness above for future generations to delight in.