The following is an op-ed piece from Delegates Kathy Szeliga and Ryan Nawrocki.

In honor of Thanksgiving, we share with you our top ten reasons to be thankful this year!

1. We are thankful for our faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As Christians, we always seek to honor and serve God in our lives. He is our source of strength and purpose in good times and in bad.
2. We are thankful for our families. The greatest joy in each of our lives is the blessing of family – those who offer us unconditional love. For our grandparents, parents, children, and extended family, we are grateful for the memories we share and the time to spend together in unity. And for those loved ones who have passed on, we are grateful they are watching over us and hope to reunite with them again one day.
3. We are thankful for our friends. Many of us are blessed with a circle of friends who share our common goals, interests, and lifestyles. We cherish our times of leisure with good friends and the times we offer support to one another. May we treat our friends like family!
4. We are thankful for our local community. We love living in and serving District 7A. This local community is home to so much charm and spirit. From Middle River to Perry Hall, to Glen Arm and Kingsville, Carney to White Marsh, we are grateful for our neighbors, community organizations, and the local events that bring us together. We love meeting each and every one of you and treasure you as a unique part of eastern Baltimore County.
5. We are thankful for our country. We will never forget that we have been given an opportunity to live the American dream. Capitalizing on this potential brings great satisfaction and reward. Protecting our rights as Americans is one of our greatest responsibilities, and we uphold these principles with great honor and dignity.
6. We are thankful for our health. Each year can bring new challenges. After experiencing a global pandemic, we are grateful for our health and the opportunity for greater prosperity. For those suffering and experiencing health trials, we extend our love and support with hope for tomorrow.
7. We are thankful for our men and women in the military. This is critical not just on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but all year long. We thank all those who offer their very lives in service to our country to protect our freedom as Americans. There is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
8. We are thankful for our first responders. To all the medical personnel, firefighters, police, and so many more, we thank you for your unwavering dedication and service to the community. You also represent a willingness and desire to offer your very selves for a greater cause. This noble sacrifice is one we will not soon forget.
9. We are thankful for our educators. The greatest opportunity for success and freedom is a good education. To all those serving in our schools, your hard work does not go unnoticed. We hope you enjoy your long weekend with your own families and receive the necessary gratitude that you deserve from your students.
10. We are thankful for our children. To our children and grandchildren who are the next generation, you give us great hope. Your sweet joy and childlike innocence bring us a healing balm in the difficulties of life. We pray that you continue to grow and mature into the incredible people that God has called you to be!

May God bless you and your families during this holiday season!