This year 2020 of division, disruption, worry, and cancellations draws somewhat near its blessed close, and we will be able to drag ourselves into a new year with some hope for improvement in our national health, physical and political.

Still, in spite of the clouds: the angry voices of the candidates; the creeping relentless spread of COVID-19; the worries about the economy; the schools and the health of our people; we glimpse a few silver linings. Let us state right here that our readers, week after week, have sent photos of the beautiful blooms they have grown or seen; for that alone, we are thankful. It has helped.

A Gazette-Journal tradition at Thanksgiving is to run essays from our readers answering the question, “What makes you thankful?” We hope they will find some good news to share with residents for the issue of Thursday, Nov. 26—just four weeks away.

Please send your thoughts to us by submitting them to our offices, 6625 Main Street in Gloucester or 28 Court Street in Mathews; by mail, P.O. Box 2060, Gloucester, Va. 23061; by fax, 804-693-7844; and by email, editor@gazettejournal.net. Please be sure to include your name, address and a daytime phone number.

We hope to hear from you. For more information, please call 804-693-3101.