When people think of Thanksgiving, what images come to mind?

   Family, friends, a couple days of vacation, a big turkey dinner, pumpkin pie, football games, the beginning of the Christmas holiday season – the list is endless.

   But what about the real reason for Thanksgiving – what about the act of giving thanks or a prayer expressing gratitude?

   After all, that’s how Thanksgiving Day began in this country back in 1621. The Pilgrims had just completed their first year in North America and the fall harvest was bountiful. As the story goes, there was plenty of corn, fruits, vegetables, fish packed in salt and cured meat. They harvested enough food to store some away for the long, cold winter.

   To help give thanks for their abundant food and celebrate a peaceful co-existence with their Indian neighbors, Gov. William Bradford proclaimed Thanksgiving Day. This annual celebration has continued throughout the years and become a U.S. custom.

   As we travel home to see loved ones or begin work on Thanksgiving in our own homes, let’s remember what this celebration is really about. Don’t forget when you’re eating all of those wonderful holiday trimmings to give thanks for the wholesome, bountiful food we enjoy all year.

   When it comes time to give thanks before the family dinner, remember to thank the good Lord for his blessings and include words of thanks for the farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the United States. Ask a blessing for the cook and those who toiled in the kitchen. Let them know during the meal how much you appreciate their culinary skills. They will appreciate the compliment and you may even receive a future invitation to dine again.

   As we wrap up 2007, it is important to give thanks to our agricultural producers. This year has been extremely tough on many farmers and ranchers.

   Although farm commodities are worth more than they’ve been for years, this year started with one of the toughest, longest blizzards and winters in recent history. That was followed by a late winter freeze that crippled or destroyed the central Kansas wheat crop.

   Next came the tornadoes of early May that leveled Greensburg and southwest-central and central Kansas. Floods devastated southeastern Kansas in late June and now farmers across the state, especially southwestern Kansas are terribly dry.

   This Thanksgiving, be thankful for all the gifts you are blessed with. Be happy and secure that family, and those you love surround you. Look back and smile about your successes and feel confident that you have learned from your mistakes.

   After you’ve eaten all the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie you can hold, remember the farmers who grow the food we eat. And don’t forget to say a prayer for those less fortunate and all those who helped make Thanksgiving a day we can all be thankful for.