To begin with, we all should give thanks to Sarah Joseph Hale. If not for her, there’d be no Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November.

The New England native defied the popular stereotype that a woman’s place was in the kitchen, cranking out babies and keeping her yap shut. Not only did she publish a novel, “Northwood: Life North and South” (1827), but she was the first woman editor of a magazine (The Ladies Magazine) and in 1837, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book (150,000 subscribers).

Hale ranted and raved for more than three decades on a variety of topics, none more important to her than establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday. The words “give up” weren’t part of her vocabulary. In addition to writing countless letters advocating this cause to governors, ministers, newspaper editors and every incumbent U.S. president, she plead her case each November by writing an editorial (along with tantalizing recipes) in Godey’s. Her persistence paid dividends on Oct. 3, 1863, when Honest Abe Lincoln signed the National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation. In the process of achieving her objective, her numerous naysayers learned a painful lesson-hell knows no fury like Sarah H’s scorn.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Devoid of many of the commercial trappings of other holidays, it’s special because of its simplicity and integrity — the gathering of families for one day to share good food and good memories, to give good thanks to the Maker for good lives and good health. And speaking of good memories, one in particular resonates. Many moons ago, I was driving my grandson Devin home after school and he excitedly shared with Kay and me the story of the first Thanksgiving. He was especially interested in the role played by Native Americans. “Pappy, the Indians grew most of the food the Pilgrims ate. If it wasn’t for them, they would have starved. Will the Indians be at Aunt Carrie’s?”

After doing a Texas two-step around the question, I added to what he learned in class by discussing the numerous contributions made by our indigenous peoples to our culture. I couldn’t help but be struck by the incongruity of the then and now. The “civilized” European invaders were literally saved by the “uncivilized” natives. The haves owed their lives to the have nots. I fondly recall Devin asking me as he was leaving the car, “Pappy, how come turkey’s gobble?” My response reflected years of formal education and research, “Hey, kiddo, let’s go watch some cartoons.”

Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday because it gives me an opportunity to be alone with my thoughts-thinking about the things for which I was grateful during the past year. Some of those things remain the same year after year. For example, I’ll always be thankful for the coordinators and volunteers at our county’s food pantries who volunteer hours every week to guarantee that those with that wolf at the door have an ample supply of food along with a little something extra during the holidays. I’m grateful to the donors whose generosity allows our Hunger Coalition to keep operating (check us out-hchungercoalition.com). I’m thankful for Laura Hailston and Ron “Sarge” Schoonmaker for running the Army Corporal Michael Mayne Cookie Corps which, thanks donors, provides snacks and sundries to troops in transit stopping off at the Marine Cpl. Gregory Harris Courtesy Room at Syracuse’s Hancock Airport. Note: I’m presently super grateful to those individuals writing to the Federal Aviation Administration in protest of the $2000-plus monthly rent it charges for usage of the Room. I’m also grateful to special people like 18-year-old Andrew James Snyder who for years has raised money to purchase Christmas trees for deserving families who are part of the HCHC’s Gram Lorraine Children’s Christmas Program (thanks sponsors and coordinators) ; to HCCC grad Mike Carroll who for years has purchased 5 new bikes for deserving children; to Brenda, Dr. Joe, Sue B. and the Gresslers for their extraordinary generosity.

I’m also thankful, in no particular order and in an unconscious stream of thought, for the following: Kelly “Dawg” Brown, Cardoon 2 Henry, mylittlefalls.com (Dave Warner), Rome Sentinel (Rich Miller), moonlight in Vermont, Emily Tyson, John D’Agostino (Dunkirk OBSERVER), Little Falls, Moss Lake, Joe Long, Ann St. Deli, Tom Halinski (Forestville Legion), Lenny, Amber and Josh, the 10 Commandments, Dave “Toe” Petkovsek, Den “Colonel” Thorp, autumn leaves, Florence and Holly, Evan Crouse, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas trees, sunsets at 4th Lake, Pete and Angie Wiliczka, Rudy Scialdo Jr., snow on the firs, the Riddler, Ed’s Pizza, Dunkin java, T.V., K’s cooking, Julie Ermo, vanilla soft ice cream, Michael Firestone, Fly Creek, golf, Gordon McCrae, Going My Way, The Big Lebowsky, MOVAC, Nancy Cranston, DeeAnn King, Alan Jackson, Rafael Mendez, Andy Williams, My Way and rainbows.

I’m most grateful for my family; grandkids Andrew, Devin, Lindsay, Emily and Lauren-daughters Carrie (the writer) and Jennifer (the singer) and, the love of my life, Kay.

In closing, I’m reminded of that old hymn, “If I Can Help Somebody,” (Mahalia Jackson) and how it relates to what I’ve been grateful for. In this world of increasing darkness, those of you who volunteer and donate, regardless of the cause, are beacons of light; examples for all, especially children, of the good that comes from selfless sacrifice. Thanks for giving your time and treasure on behalf of the least among us.

By doing so, you personify everything this holiday is all about. Happy Thanksgiving.

Ray Lenarcic is a 1965 State University of New York at Fredonia graduate and is a resident of Herkimer.