By Matt Hutcheson

Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for food and family, a time to gather with your closest relations and celebrate life and the value of community.

We traveled around Greenville and asked residents a simple question: “What are you thankful for?”

It turns out that people often possess intensely personal and reflective views on what the ‘meaning of Thanksgiving’ is to them.

Hazel Horn, 94, a retired social worker and resident of Country Place Senior Living, has an expansive knowledge of Greenville and its history.

She used the question as an opportunity to both express thankfulness and regale a small audience with a personal history of the town.   

“First of all, I’m thankful for my health and for having such a nice place to live. And of course, I’m thankful for the children, family, and friends that God has blessed me with.”

Horn has seen many changes sweep through Greenville and says the interstate, which many might take for granted as an effective conveyer for travel and commerce, heralded a great deal of growth and “made a tremendous impact on Butler county.” 

Horn still drives today, and recounts details from Greenville’s history in sharp and vivid detail. Remembering her career as a social worker, Horn said “I think anything you do for someone else is fulfilling.”   

Tarrus Jordan, a local business owner, made it obvious he has ruminated on the question before, detailing his faith and deep understanding of the holiday:

“I’m thankful for life, for health and, most of all, for having a good understanding of what life is about.”

Jordan emphasized the value of focusing on being grateful for intangible and spiritual blessings rather than material wealth, all the while deftly preparing a tire for mounting.

He seems to see Thanksgiving as an introspective time and an opportunity to consider what brings his life meaning, advising to “keep the [type of] mind, to always try to do better.”

For others, Thanksgiving represents a time to remain hopeful even in difficult circumstances and look forward to the year to come.

A comment on the Advocate’s Facebook page in response to this question reads, “I am thankful for knowing that God is in control, and even though I don’t have a good job right now, I know that, like Thanksgiving, one is right around the corner.”

Ryan Deleree, a 7-year-old Fort Dale student, managed to most concisely summarize the sentiment of the season:

“I’m thankful for my family and friends.”