For those of you that read last week’s edition of Saratoga TODAY, you were exposed to the harsh realities of homelessness.

As scary as it is, many of us are one serious illness or one catastrophic event away from bankruptcy and possibly homelessness. I think for me, this realization has been cumulative over the past 60 days.

It began about one month ago when I watched the Will Smith movie, and an emotional rollercoaster, “Pursuit of Happiness.” I followed that movie up with visits to the Saratoga soup kitchen, where I met program director Lillian McCarthy. The following week my wife visited the Saratoga Springs homeless shelter, and the experience ended with last week’s comprehensive coverage of Homelessness in Saratoga County.

What can I say other than “wow.” This is scary stuff that left me with mixed feelings of sadness, gratitude and hope. It has also forced me to realize how truly lucky most of us are.

So I want to dedicate this editorial to giving thanks.

- I want to start out by giving thanks to the men and women who work and volunteer for these wonderful establishments. These organizations help people to get back on their feet, live with dignity and look forward to tomorrow. They help local citizens, possibly our friends and neighbors, to smile again. They provide them with a glimmer of hope as they work towards financial independence. They provide a shelter where men and women, sons and daughters, moms and dads, can stay warm, eat a healthy meal and sleep soundly at night.

- Thank you to the men and women of our armed forces around the world who safeguard democracy and fight the global battle against terrorism, far from our homes and families.

- Thank you to our policemen who walk their beats so we can all sleep soundly at night.

- Thank you to our local fire fighters who put their lives on the line when the alarm sounds.

- Thank you to the doctors, nurses, EMS workers, and medical researchers who keep us healthy, search for cures and fix us when we are sick.

- Thank you to the moms and dads. You are the ones that help to shape the future of our great nation.

- Thank you to our grandparents. You may spoil us too much, but we always know how much you love us.

- Thank you to all the wives. Despite our selfishness and disgusting habits, you still cook us dinner and watch football with us.

- Thank you to our sons and daughters. You keep us young at heart and can always put a smile on our faces.

- And finally, thank you to God. You have blessed us and loved us every day. You have provided us with family and friends who stand by us and support us. When times are tough and we are alone in life, you send volunteers to help get us through the heartache and pain.

Thank you for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving.