This year has been a trying one for many in our community, with double-digit joblessness, food and other prices rising and fuel costs all over the map in terms of cost.

Yet, on this day our community still has much for which to be thankful. We live in a peaceful land, not one that is war-torn or overrun by armed militias. While the nation is at war, that conflict has not touched many of us in any tangible manner.

Locally, we have strong governments working effectively for the city, county and area towns. Sure, there are problems with our local governing bodies, or at least differences of opinion in how governing should, at times, be carried out, but overall the local entities seem to be made up of people working as a public service to their neighbors.

And lately there has been good success in landing new firms bringing jobs to the area. While all the numbers getting thrown around sometimes fluctuate a great deal, several hundred new jobs have already been announced as coming to the area — some quite soon — and the prospect for more is very real.

Yes, this has been a difficult year for many in this community, and there are still concerns to be addressed. But overall, most people in Mount Airy and Surry County certainly have many blessings for which to be thankful, and there is a real hope that 2010 will be better.