As we close the books on October and approach Thanksgiving, I am feeling a strong sense of gratitude. Even amongst the swirl that is geopolitics and the general sense of unease and strife in the world, there are newborn babies (and loving grandparents
), sunny days, family, friends, neighbors, communities like this one, and any number of simple pleasures like taking a deep breath, curling up with a book, and watching squirrels chase each other through the trees.