It’s been gloomy lately. People in the Des Moines business world have heard their share of bad news, and that doesn’t seem like the right way to head toward Thanksgiving. Doesn’t seem fair.

But we all know that life isn’t fair. We just have to remind ourselves that there are always, always things to be thankful for.

It’s family, friends and health that matter most, of course, but we’re also fortunate to be living in a place that’s doing so nicely. Drive through downtown Des Moines and try to remember what it was like 10 or 20 years ago. It’s getting hard to do. It’s getting difficult to remember why we were so apologetic in the old days.

Old buildings are coming back to life; new and impressive ones are complete and decorating our days. The East Village has arrived. More people are out and about in the evenings.

We’re relatively safe in Central Iowa, we treat each other well – most of the time — and on top of that, now we have a city where people compete to take chances instead of waiting for somebody else to do something.

The pace seems to have picked up. There’s more to do, more places you want to go. We expect big shows, occasional national attention and a spot on some “best” lists.

Of course, life isn’t only unfair. It’s unpredictable. Somewhere out there right now are a few entrepreneurs who will fail spectacularly, a fair number of house buyers who bought way too much house and some established businesses that just can’t find a way to adapt to the 21st century.

People are unpredictable, too. They come and go, and Central Iowa changes because of them. Slowly and imperceptibly, but permanently.

When the worst happens and people are taken from the community, then what? Maybe we should just be thankful that they were ever here among us.

Maybe that’s the best way to keep your bearings in an unfair, unpredictable world.

Have a good holiday. Giving thanks is one tradition we should never let go.