I guess the first time I remember understanding what Thanksgiving meant was when I was in the sixth grade at the old Pilot View School in Clark County.

Up until that time all I cared about was how I loved getting out of school and getting to eat a delicious meal that usually included turkey and the trimmings.

No one ever has been able to match my mom’s delicious Thanksgiving meal.

My parents told us about being thankful for what we had every day and we knew at Thanksgiving we would be reminded we were blessed even though we did not have all the niceties some of our friends had.

In the sixth grade, our teacher, Mrs. Rachel Gabbard, taught us more about the first Thanksgiving.

I happened to be blessed to have gone to a school during the time where every morning we were taught to stand and show respect to our flag and country by saying the Pledge of Allegiance. We also began our morning with prayer and often sang songs like “ America the Beautiful!”

I am thankful I grew up in a school that did that. I think it set a precedence for the day. It needs to be happening daily today in schools across America.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful. We need to remember on that day how much we have to be thankful for.

I am thankful I was born in the United States, and I do not take that for granted.

I am glad Mrs. Gabbard taught us the importance of that first Thanksgiving.

I am thankful the colonists and the Native Americans gathered together to eat a meal and thanked God for bringing them through their hardships and struggles.

I am thankful they gave us a good representation of why we should be thankful.

I was taught their hardships were many. Can you imagine what they went through to grow their food without a tractor and all the conveniences farmers have now? As it does now, much depended on the weather and hard work.

Though there had been turmoil, arguments and trials among one another, they were put aside to be thankful for the bounty of their harvest.

There are names that still stand out in my mind from what I learned in the sixth grade. One story that stands out is how Pocahontas, a young Native American girl, saved the life of John Smith who had been captured by the Native Americans. Just as her father was about to strike John Smith in the head, Pocahontas saved his life by laying her head next to his.

That is about all I knew other than the fact the Native Americans and colonists fought bitterly because their ways were so different.

Does history repeat itself? We still have trouble getting along with others whose ways are different than ours.

In just another week Americans will be gathering together in homes and public places. Wherever you gather, try to make it a day of Thanksgiving.

We should also be mindful of those who have buried someone special to them this year. It may make the holiday a little harder for some. I saw something on Facebook that is so true. It read, “Unless you have buried a parent or family member you have no idea how hard a holiday, their death day, their birthday or any other day is without them.

We never know what someone else is going through on any day. We all need to do our part to create a kinder, gentler world.

We also all need to do our part to try to make each day happier for one another and not make life all about us.

I am so thankful for all the happy times and Thanksgiving dinners I have had with my family. Why I am not sure, but I seem to miss them more at Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year.

However, I am so thankful I have all those sweet memories.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone next week.

I hope your bounty is full.

Sue Staton is a Clark County native who grew up in the Kiddville area. She is a wife, mother and grandmother who is active in her church, First United Methodist Church, and her homemakers group, Towne and Country Homemakers.