Thanksgiving is a time to gather together with family and friends and give thanks for our many blessings.

We have much to be thankful for as Americans. We are blessed to live in the greatest nation on Earth, where everyone has the chance — through hard work and determination — to achieve the American dream.

Our first Thanksgiving in 1621 was born out of an expression of gratefulness for a bountiful harvest. More than 150 years later, President Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day as a time to rejoice in a young nation’s freedom and liberty.

A lot has changed during the centuries since the first Thanksgiving, yet the holiday is still rooted in the foundations of family, friends and freedom.

As Southwest Michigan families enjoy turkey and honor other enduring traditions, I encourage everyone to recognize the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

In a world where we are constantly connected and seemingly always busy, Thanksgiving is a rare moment to cast aside the worries of our everyday life and relax with our loved ones.

It is a moment to take the weight of the world off our shoulders, take time to warmly express our gratitude to our family and friends for their love and friendship throughout the year, and to remember that we are all truly blessed to live in the land of the free.

I also encourage everyone to give thanks for the brave men and women who protect our liberty, especially those who are unable to be with their families as they serve our country.

As we give thanks, I want to thank you for the honor of serving as your state senator. I am truly grateful for the trust you have bestowed on me to be your voice in the Senate as we worked to improve our state over the last eight years.

May God bless you and fill your hearts and homes with love. Happy Thanksgiving.

JOHN PROOS, R-St. Joseph, represents the 21st District, which includes Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties.