Thanksgiving is often associated with the meal rather than an occasion to give thanks. We gather around the table with family and friends and consume many of the foods we have come to associate with autumn and Thanksgiving — turkey, squash, turnip, potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and a variety of other goodies.

While some authorities are convinced that the 1621 feast included turkey, which were known to be plentiful on Cape Cod, others lean toward deer meat as the most logical main course, provided mostly by the Indians, with wild ducks and geese as well as shellfish rounding out the menu.

The vegetables grown by the English probably included corn (ground and served as cornmeal) and possibly squash, but no potatoes.

What they ate in 1621 and what we eat today doesn’t really matter. Whether you consume seafood, ham, venison, or just beans and hot dogs isn’t important. It’s joining those around the table with you to give thanks for what you have.

Where and how does one begin to give thanks? We’ve been thinking about it all week.

First of all on the list probably comes family, followed by close friends. Having a roof over your head and food on the table also makes us among the lucky ones when we see what men, women and children are enduring in some countries around the world.

Even right here in our own land, the latest figures show that as many as one in thirty children were homeless last year, a sobering statistic, and one we must work diligently to correct.

We’re thankful we live in a small town where folks care about one another and are quick to respond when someone is in trouble. The sense of pride and community is exceptional here, and no project seems too large when it has widespread support.

America is the land of opportunity, and our young people have multiple educational opportunities. Locally, graduates get a leg up financially through our Student Aid Fund if they want to go on to higher education.

A wide offering of activities also makes a community special, and we have a lot going for us with a concerted effort made to provide as many opportunities as possible. We may live in a small town, but it’s sometimes hard to tell, with so much going on.

One only has to look around to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. We realize most folks are prejudiced, and consider their own part of the world, be it lakes, mountains or desert, beyond compare. With that option in mind, let us say that no place on earth is lovelier than our own peninsula, followed by our back yard — the grand state of Maine.

Those of us in good health must be especially thankful and offer our prayers to those who are suffering or who have loved ones not doing well.

We all have our personal reasons for being thankful during this very special season, so let’s remember that the original Thanksgiving was primarily to give thanks to the Indians for their help and expertize in making a successful harvest possible. Enjoy your meal and remember the “thanks” in Thanksgiving.