Even in troubled times, give thanks

In these troubled financial times, affluence can be measured not only by your checkbook balance and the ledger of your families' portfolio, but by the girth of your heart and depth of your soul.

These clouded and stressful challenges will not be short lived.

In spite of this new debacle radiates an enlightenment. It can divide us or it will bring us, all of us, closer to together.

It's hope, it's faith and it is a lesson.

Educating ourselves not only to be wiser, but of equal value, to be thankful.

Thankful for what we do have, that money alone can't buy: the humanistic values comprised by our emotions, embraced by our families, shared with our friends and enshrined in our communities.

Once again, Thanksgiving will be upon us. In our sector of this vast and diversified world, your generosity can be an invaluable aid to good people in time of dire need.

From the lonely widower down the street, to the family of your child's classmate who just lost their longtime job. Maybe you have the ability to invite those less fortunate to your families gathering?

Or perhaps you might consider donating to a local food pantry.

For this traditional holiday, maybe you are able to truly perform a thanks giving." God bless us all.

Randy F. Gollay

Buffalo Grove