Whether Thanksgiving serves as a day for a family meal, the start of your holiday shopping strategy, the last day before your home is festooned in holiday decorations, or just a day off to watch annual parades and football games, there is something magical about the day.

It feels set apart because of its emphasis on celebrating that for which we are thankful, without the pressure of helping Santa do his job for everyone on our personal lists.

It may not be gratitude for a “harvest” in the traditional sense, but for many of us it is important to have the opportunity to express gratitude for having been sustained another year, perhaps even for being able to live comfortably and without much worry.

Even empty spots around the table give us the chance to be grateful for having had such wonderful people in our lives that their absence is felt so strongly. Sometimes on days like Thanksgiving, we find their presence remains in little details we are thankful to notice.

Often, we are grateful for the few family members who show off their culinary prowess to a degree that makes us thankful, too, for elastic waistbands. We’re thankful for whoever figured out how to make pumpkin pie and pair it with whipped cream.

Political joys or disappointments aside, we can be grateful we live in communities where — when push comes to shove — we lift up one another. We lend a hand. If warm clothing, toys, food or other support is needed this season, rest assured there are those working to provide.

Plenty of us can be thankful we are among those able to help.

Don’t let the travel and commotion of the day obscure how wonderful it is to live in a place where, as George Washington put it in 1789, “we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks — for His kind care and protection of the People of this Country …”

Our need to give thanks is as urgent now as it was 235 years ago. Take advantage of the day to do so.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

***

“There is no excess in the world so commendable as excessive gratitude.”

— Jean de la Bruyere, French philosopher

“The most important thing in the world is family and love.”

— John Wooden, basketball coach

***

One of the nation’s most cherished Thanksgiving Day traditions is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, “Country Roads” will be echoing throughout New York City as the Pride of West Virginia, the 330-member West Virginia University Marching Band, makes its second appearance at the extravaganza.

Last at the parade in 2016, band leaders learned last year during the Backyard Brawl against the University of Pittsburgh that they had been selected for the honor. The band will be just one of 11 marching bands in attendance Thursday morning.

“Participating in the 2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was a tremendous experience for our students,” said Scott Tobias, associate professor and director of bands. “We all look forward to returning to New York City with ‘The Pride of West Virginia’ to represent the School of Music, the university and the entire state of West Virginia on one of the grandest stages for marching bands.”

Two of the band’s four drum majors hail from the Upper Ohio Valley — Shaylee Groves of Weirton (Brooke High School) and Isaac Neff of Paden City (Paden City High School). That’s just one more reason to watch.

“For more than 100 years, the Mountaineer Marching Band has entertained audiences, from hometown halftime shows to parade routes and venues across the country, representing their state with pageantry and style,” said Wesley Whatley, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade creative producer.

“The Macy’s Parade Band Committee is proud to welcome back the talented students at West Virginia University to the Big Apple to march in the 2024 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”