Every year we gather together with friends and family to express gratitude.

Thanksgiving is about socializing and eating, but it’s also a great time to truly think about what matters in your life.

Here at the Sounder, we are grateful to have jobs that we love, loyal, engaged readers and advertisers who value growing their business through small newspapers.

And most of all, we are thankful for community. For without you, we would have nothing to write about.

We asked readers to share what they are thankful for this year. Here is a sampling.

What are you thankful for?

• Living on an island where people haven’t forgotten what community means.

• My rescue dog.

• Today.

• My life.

• Good health, friends, family and Orcas Island.

• Being alive and healthy.

• Great coworkers

• Opportunities to be useful.

• Having a job that allows me to make a difference in children’s lives.

And to experience one of the ultimate celebrations of community, check out the Oddfellows annual dinner on Nov. 27. More than 200 people attend every year. Volunteers cook all the turkeys and provide tableware and those in attendance are asked to bring a beverage and a dish based on their last name. A-M: Your favorite side dish (mashed potatoes, yams, veggies, etc); N-R: salad or bread or rolls; S-Z: dessert. Feel free to bring your famous specialty dish instead of the suggested one above if you like.

The meal starts at 4:30 p.m. For more details, call Bill at 376-8857.

Wherever you eat Thanksgiving, take a minute to ponder what you’re appreciative for this  year.