Just like that, we’re in November, and I am feeling grateful and perhaps just a little bit excited for Thanksgiving to get here. So, each week, this column will celebrate the people, places, and things that I am grateful for.

Part of this comes from having already seen folks on social media sharing a grateful post per day, and their pledge to share their gratitude every day during November. I’m hoping to flood social media with grateful posts instead of things that cause division between us.

Friends, I’m grateful for Muscatine. I know you’ve heard me say that for years now, but I mean it. I feel so deeply connected to this community as if it is a part of me.

This happened just last week after my son, Ted, got his haircut at Downtown Dapper (on Sycamore Street near CBI). There’s this tree across the parking lot (closer to the Cedar Street side) that’s just bursting in natural beauty. The leaves are this perfect mix of red and orange, and it stopped me in my tracks. I’m grateful for Muscatine in the fall. Driving through downtown on Third Street to our house, I feel the same way seeing all the trees. Now, I’m not going to be grateful for having to rake a lot of leaves this year, but for the time being, it’s stunning.

I’m grateful to be close to the Mississippi River. I’m sure there are quotes or beliefs about living near bodies of water; I’m here for them!

I would hope that it goes without saying how grateful I am for my job with the Muscatine Community School District. I care a lot about doing all that I can to ensure all students are set up for success in life.

I’m grateful for our ability to rally around each other during times of need, like the group that helped raise over $10,000 during the fundraiser at the Rose Bowl, or the folks that stopped by our house and donated to the MCSA Domestic Violence Shelter. Soon, the little red kettles will be in various locations across our community, and I know they’ll get filled up in support of The Salvation Army.

What it boils down to is this; I am grateful for the people of Muscatine, for it is all of you that make our community what it is. I know we’re not perfect, and we have things to work on, but all communities do. I hope that we can continue working together while maintaining a positive attitude and respect for one another. I also know that we will disagree on things, and that’s fine, so long as we can agree to be kind and respectful of one another.

Feel free to share what you’re grateful for with me directly. You can always email me at [email protected] or find me on social media and send me a message. Receiving feedback from you is something that I’m also grateful for. I truly enjoy having this space each week to continue scratching my creative itch.