Lang: Let's give thanks this holiday season

While enjoying Thanksgiving at home with my wife, I took some time to reflect on what I have experienced during my term as mayor of Sycamore. I am so grateful that I have kept a calendar, kept a notebook and kept a journal. It became apparent to me that we have a lot to be grateful for. Absolutely, no one or situation may be perfect, but when looking for the good it is easy to find a lot in our lives!

I wanted to share some thoughts regarding my mayoral term from the past few years. It is amazing the amount of cooperation and support that exists between governmental groups, volunteer groups, service groups and good citizens in our communities. A person does not need to look very hard to find people serving, people sharing, people caring, people helping and people worrying about their community and neighbors.

We cannot control the effects of life, but we can control our reactions to life! No question life brings challenges, and our communities continue to show they care for their neighbors. Many social media posts have demonstrated concerns such as #sycamorestrong, #givethanks, #ourtownchallenge, #kindness and many others.

We see the phrase “in these difficult times” frequently in posts and in media. This is certainly true; however, times have always had problems. Any time in history has had its “difficult times” and they have eventually passed. Light eventually overcomes darkness, and with the light comes a renewal of opportunity, a renewal of energy, a renewal of hope, and, most of all, a renewal of our community spirit!

The holiday season is here, and with carols, music and lights, there are signs of good things to come. The traditions of giving and sharing is already beginning with local efforts such as Salvation Arm bell ringing, Toys for Tots, Good Fellows and WLBK’s Freezin’ for Food to benefit the Salvation Army.

Let us end this year with the scripture message, “On earth peace and good will towards men.” In 2021, with the promise of a vaccine coming to all who want one, the sign of “good things to come” will be here. The dreams of returning to normal has been on our minds for almost a year, as 2021 unfolds let’s make normal be better than the old normal, with “peace and good will towards all men.”

• Curt Lang has been mayor of Sycamore for 10 years. He announced in September that he would not be seeking reelection in 2021.