Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall is my favorite time of year, and Thanksgiving is one of my favorite days of the year.

I prefer this season's cool days and the cooler evenings. And as the pages of the calendar flip toward the end, fall gives us the chance to take stock of the year behind us and use that reflection to plan for the year ahead.

While I love what I do in the Capitol, this is the time of year when the Legislature is in recess and I get to spend most of my time here in the 39th District. It reconnects me with my communities and reminds me of how grateful I am for the opportunity to serve and represent San Diego County in Sacramento. It energizes and inspires me.

Growing up poor, we didn't have a lot, but Thanksgiving was a day Mom and Dad always made a priority to celebrate and provide for. I loved the turkey, the stuffing and all the trappings – including, yes, Mom's traditional recipe for Waldorf salad.

I am so thankful for friends and family, including my furry canine friends, Haley and Joey. As Haley gets older – she's 13 now -- Jennifer and I are more and more thankful to have her with us, healthy and happy.

Because I know how difficult holidays can be for struggling families, I was truly happy to take part in Operation Gobble, an event where, every year, California American Water donates turkeys to charitable organizations up and down California. In turn, those organizations provide the turkeys to the needy families they serve. This time, I arranged the plump turkeys to go to 11 wonderful local organizations.

Today, I will attend the 29^th annual Scott Carlson Thanksgiving Community Dinner at the San Diego LGBT Center – for residents living with HIV / AIDS, seniors, homeless youth, struggling families, and anyone who is feeling alone.

I plan to have a wonderful time. And however you and your family celebrate today, I hope you do, too.

Warmly,

Toni Atkins Senator, 39th District