The best part about Thanksgiving and the holiday season — along with all the delicious food, of course — are the reminders this time of year provides about what’s actually important. Family. Friends. Health. Freedom. And all the other blessings we enjoy. It’s helpful in putting less essential stuff into perspective.

Granted, it’s been another challenging year, hasn’t it? One with economic challenges, natural disasters, war, political bickering and what I fear is a growing gulf between the citizens of a country in which far more should unite us than divide us. There’s justification for the observation the world’s going to hell and we’d all be well-advised to invest in handbaskets.

Call me a Pollyanna, but I remain an optimistic believer in human innovation and resilience. More so, I remain grateful. Things could be better, for sure. But also a lot worse.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays, afford me the opportunity to count some blessings. As usual, I’ve got a lot to count.

First and foremost, thank you to the readers of the Business Times. You remain the reason I do what I do. Thanks also to the businesses and organizations that advertise in the Business Times and provide the financial wherewithal that enables me to do what I do. Your support has never been more important — or appreciated.

I remain grateful, too, for my boss, Craig Hall. He not only makes it possible for me to do what I do, but also gives me unbridled freedom to do so. While I’m at it: Happy birthday Craig.

Thanks to Alowetta and Marc Terrien, the indefatigable couple that conjures the Business Times website out of Thin Air. Thanks to Kitty Nicholason, who builds many of the ads that appear in the paper.

For this newspaper editor, blessings most definitely include the columnists who so generously share their time and talents along with their excellent advice and opinions. They include Janet Arrowood, Tim Haggerty, Dean Harris, Phyllis Hunsinger, Paula Reece, Marcus Straub and Tim Whitney. That’s not to mention the good folks with Bray Real Estate; Dalby, Wendland & Co.; Mesa County Public Health; Monument Health; and Western Colorado Human Resource Association.

I also count among my many blessings the individuals and organizations who help the editor of a business journal report on business, whether that’s sharing the latest real estate numbers or offering perspectives on the latest labor estimates.
The Business Incubator Center, Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Mesa County Workforce Center and local chambers of commerce offer remarkable resources. A little to editors. A whole lot to local entrepreneurs and businesses.

Thanks as well to Rob Sperry and the team at Colorado Mountain News Media that prints the Business Times twice a month.

I tend to count a lot of blessings this time of year — especially when I’m enjoying whipped cream served with a slice of pumpkin pie. But I’m most thankful for what’s most important.

Phil Castle is editor of the Business Times. Reach him at 424-5133 or phil@thebusinesstimes.com.