Svihlik Column: It’s time to give thanks

Just as it has done for the past eight Thanksgivings, your local paper wants to give you a Thanksgiving Day edition loaded with good news — news about people who have made a difference in the lives of
others.

Of course, we must rely on our readers to tell us who these people are.

Annually, when I write to remind you to tell us about blessings in your life, I get a chance to name some of the blessings in mine. Among them are members of the Manassas Chorale. Becky Verner and
almost 90 of her cohorts add real “community” to my rather unconnected life.

When I say prayers of thanks, I always include my gratitude for that association.

We at the News & Messenger want to infect Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park with the spirit of thankfulness by publishing your prayers or expressions of thanks.

As I have suggested before, you might be thankful for a particular neighbor who mowed your lawn. Perhaps you are thankful for a friend who helped you through a tough time or a coworker who makes
your job a little easier. Perhaps you are thankful for the everyday joy your children add to your life or the way your parents have led you to adulthood.

You might be grateful for some enormous service or for just a tiny gift of a friend’s presence when he or she was needed. You might be grateful for the same things from your brothers and sisters, husband
or wife, longtime companion, business acquaintance or school pal.

You may have already noticed the big turkey floating among the pages of the paper asking “Who are you thankful for?” In each edition between now and Nov. 20, you’ll find him asking you to name
someone. You can send me a note telling us who you are thankful for, what community you live in and why you’re thankful.

Or you can e-mail that information to me.

Then we’ll print it in the paper on Thanksgiving Day. This is a win-win because you can say “thank you,” loud and clear and we can put loads of good news in the paper.

If you’re shy, you don’t have to tell us your name and phone number, but we’d really like to know your community.

Having your name and phone number would help us, though. We don’t have to publish them, but we’d like to be able to contact you for more details if we need to do so.

Send us as many “Giving Thanks” items as you like. The more, the better. We’ll print every one, largely unedited. (Well, we MIGHT trim a few to make room for everyone, but that doesn’t happen very
often.)

Send your notes to:

Giving Thanks

C/O Susan Svihlik

14010 Smoketown Road

Woodbridge, VA. 22192

Or to and put “GIVING THANKS” in the subject line.

Please help us get into the spirit of the holiday by letting us know about people who make you thankful. And I know your turkey will taste better after reading all “Thank yous” on Thanksgiving Day.

Svihlik is executive editor of the News & Messenger and this year — again — she will be thankful for readers who help her publish good news.