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In 1621, 52 surviving Pilgrims from “The Old World” gathered on the east coast of “The New World” to celebrate what would become known as the first Thanksgiving. Their first harvest had come in, much to the help of native Americans who had kindly assisted them, and true to their faith, they gave thanks. Having traversed the ocean on The Mayflower the year prior, only to see over half of their original group die during the first brutal winter endured immediately after their arrival in December of 1620, they had much reason to be thankful. Going into their second winter they were alive – and prepared.

Almost 250 years later an American President would invoke a National Day of Thanksgiving to take place in November of that year to give thanks for God’s mercy to a nation in crisis. The president was Abraham Lincoln. The crisis was the American Civil War. At that moment, thousands had died, both north and south, and slavery still afflicted the nation. Yet President Lincoln understood that in going forward the nation should continue to be thankful for God’s hand of favor.

I find it beautiful how in both instances Thanksgiving was invoked during times of great hardship and loss. Looking back over the history of our country, it has truly been during some of our darkest hours that we as a people have “looked to the hills from whence cometh our help” and given our thanks. And prayers over many years have truly been answered. God has blessed our land.

Growing up, my mother always taught me that “gratitude should be our attitude” – that it was only through being grateful that true blessings come. So many years later, I have lost count of how many times I have seen this principle proven in my life. And it certainly holds true for the past several years as your mayor.

When I look back to 2020, when our administration began, and count the blessings that we have enjoyed from then to now, I truly lose count. It’s impossible to count them all. So many new residents, so many new businesses, so many ribbon cuttings, so many new jobs. It has been wonderful. And on top of that, the millions of dollars in new construction and renovation. And the millions of dollars, now approaching $100 million, brought to Natchez by our many partners working on the state and federal levels to make great things happen in our beloved city and county.

We live in a far from perfect world. And yes, we like all communities have our challenges. We always will. But we also have so many blessings to count. And as long as we continue to work together, always looking to the creator, the source of all, blessings will continue. They always will.

This Thanksgiving, as we move into the “most wonderful time of the year”, let us pause to give thanks. We have so many blessings to count. And let us look forward to a great new year that is now on the horizon. 2025 is going to be amazing! And this time next year, we will have even more blessings to count. Because Natchez Deserves More.

Dan M. Gibson is mayor of Natchez.