Headlines, deadlines and stress; there are some days in this business when those are the only things running through your head.

But it’s important, not just for me but for everyone, to take stock of what we have and give thanks.

Growing up with three sisters in the house, I understood Thanksgiving as the day where I would finally have the opportunity to stuff my face with all the turkey and mashed potatoes I could handle.

But over the years, the true meaning of the holiday (which should have been more obvious to me considering the two words in its name… ‘thanks’ and ‘giving’) has become more apparent and important for me.

Working on countless stories this week dealing with the meaning for the holiday, it had me reflecting, again, on what all I have to be thankful for.

This week, my little sister was able to visit me; and for that I am grateful.

Abby lives in Detroit now and has what many would consider a dream job. She worked hard to get that job, and she deserves all the benefits the job provides.

Knowing she is in a good place with a good job is something I am grateful for this year.

It was fun showing her around town this week. She loved the food and the history and the architecture Selma has to offer. But she most enjoyed the people.

Whether they were co-workers of mine she spoke with briefly, or the friendly Selmians she met Wednesday at a cooking class at the library, she couldn’t get over the welcoming nature of the people of this town.

And I get to live here and talk to these people every day. And for that I am grateful.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to live in a town where people want to live and where the past, present and future can be found around every turn.

This year will be the first time I won’t be able to spend either the Christmas or Thanksgiving holiday with my family back home in Ohio.

It will surely be weird, and potentially a bit sad, but there is so much I’ve found down south to be thankful for.

There are places and events I’ve been to since moving south in February that I will never forget, but it’s the people I’ve met here who have surprised me day after day, and who have made this move worth the struggles.

What, and who, are you thankful for? Who has helped you over this last year?

My answer to these questions would surely be too long to fit in this column, and I hope this is the same case for you.

I am also thankful for the thousands who pick up this newspaper each and every day.

I want to offer a special thanks to the readers who participate in public discussions through the newspaper; whether you agree or disagree with the work we have done.

Your comments online, calls to the office and letters to the editor about our work and our town make this job possible.

And for you I am thankful.

Over the coming months the headlines, deadlines and stress that come with this job will surely take their toll on both my sleep pattern and (unfortunately yet undeniably) my hairline, but the joys will continue to outweigh any miniscule negatives.