Being from Colorado is, to me, very, very special. I'm just very

When Dianne Reeves proclaims, “Being from Colorado is, to me, very, very special. I’m just very thankful to be here. I’m also thankful to be a part of the history of this state,” she speaks with the voice of one who understands that identity is shaped not only by family and heritage, but by the very land in which one is rooted. Her words shine with reverence for Colorado, a place whose mountains rise like eternal guardians, whose valleys hold the whispers of many peoples, and whose history flows like a river through generations. In declaring her thankfulness, she joins the eternal chain of those who honor their homeland not just as soil beneath their feet, but as a living force shaping their spirit.

To be tied to a place is to be bound to its story. Reeves acknowledges that she is not merely living in Colorado but is part of its history, part of the ongoing tale that began long before her birth and will continue long after her passing. This recognition reflects an ancient wisdom: that we are not separate from our lands but woven into their tapestry. The elders of old spoke of this bond — how the soil nourishes the body, the mountains strengthen the heart, and the rivers purify the soul. Reeves’ gratitude is not passive; it is a deep, conscious alignment with the destiny of her state.

Consider the story of the ancient Athenians, who tied their very identity to the city of Athens. They believed themselves to be autochthones — born directly from the soil of Attica. Their pride in place gave rise to some of the world’s greatest philosophy, art, and democracy. Just as they felt their lives were part of a larger history, Reeves too sees herself as a thread in the great fabric of Colorado’s story. Her belonging is not only personal, but collective; not only present, but historical.

There is also humility in her words. By saying she is “thankful to be here,” Reeves acknowledges that her position is not a right to be taken for granted, but a gift. Many live in places yet never pause to feel gratitude for them. But she recognizes that to dwell among Colorado’s mountains, to be nurtured by its culture, to contribute to its ongoing heritage, is something sacred. Gratitude transforms ordinary existence into reverence. Without thankfulness, we become exiles even in our homeland. With it, we become heirs to its richness.

Yet this thankfulness is also a responsibility. To be part of a land’s history means one must act with honor, leaving behind not scars but blessings for future generations. The early conservationists of Colorado, such as Enos Mills, father of Rocky Mountain National Park, understood this. He gave his life to protect the land so that its grandeur would remain for children yet unborn. His story mirrors Reeves’ sentiment: to belong to a place is not only to enjoy it, but to guard it, to cherish it, to hand it down intact to those who follow.

What, then, is the lesson we must draw? It is this: wherever you are rooted — whether upon mountains, plains, or islands — remember to be thankful. Do not treat your homeland as merely a background to your life. Learn its stories, honor its history, and add to its legacy. Let your actions reflect care for its people and stewardship for its land. In this way, you too become part of its eternal story.

Therefore, let us carry Reeves’ words as a reminder. To love one’s homeland is to be nourished by it, to learn from its trials, and to contribute to its victories. To be thankful is to walk with humility, knowing that we are but travelers upon this earth, entrusted for a short time with the duty of carrying forward the history of our people and our land. And when our time has passed, may those who come after us look back and say: these were men and women who were faithful to their roots, and who gave more than they took.

So I say to you: honor your land, honor its history, and be thankful for the chance to walk upon it. For in doing so, you do not merely live in a place — you become a guardian of its story, and a bearer of its soul.