Dear Editor,

On Saturday, November 16, I was at the piano recital at the Nederland Community Center starring all of Jack Gafney’s students; including my daughter. It was super positive and super fun to see all the talent and courage in our community. 

Jack closed the recital by playing a song he wrote called, “We’re Just Getting Started.” The lyrics seemed fitting and really resonated with me.

Then on Sunday, November 17, was the Thanksgiving Potluck at the Nederland Community Center. Thanks to Michelle and Nate for all their many hours of hard work organizing and executing this event. I think Michelle told me that it was their eighth year. And thanks to everyone who contributed and participated.

It was so comforting to see the community come together and enjoy each other. So many people put so much effort into this successful and fun annual community gathering. 

On the National level, whatever you think about the election, whether you’re happy with the results, or unhappy with them, or totally indifferent, or you just don’t know, we all can consider this change and tell ourselves again that we are just getting started. And the division that infects so much of our country doesn’t have to define our community. 

We’re just getting started. There are so many things we can do as a community, so many ways for us to work together to help lift everyone up in our community. To make this a place where folks who want to live here can thrive.

We have a lot to be grateful for. I appreciate so many people in this community and so much that my family and I have gained from being part of Nederland. I appreciate all the many aspects of this place and this community that make Nederland such a great place to live. 

I look forward to growing deeper into this community. Whether we agree on things along the way or whether we don’t, I have a lot of love for all of you, and everything that you’ve given to me and my family.

Happy Thanksgiving (or Happy ThanksGiblin, as my family likes to say). Let it be a holiday full of thanks and giving. I hope you all get to spend it with family and/or chosen family.

Peace,

Billy Giblin

Nederland