The election in Federal Way has come and gone. But what a period that was!

In some political camps, candidates’ family members vouched that there were unfair treatments with regard to missing signs. As fast as those specific candidates’ signs were erected, no sooner were they uprooted. They shouted unfair treatment.

I countered that if displaced signage was the only inconvenience candidates had to face in Federal Way, that would have been the least of their problem. Complainants ought to count their blessings, I said.

In many cities throughout the U.S., candidates had to put up with television smear campaign ads daily on their families, professions and otherwise. They had to spend countless hours rebutting those false accusations.

I am thankful for a clean, bloodless election in our city. Something I will never take for granted. Elections in some parts of the world are fraught with violence: Rape, arson, homicide, burglary, just to name a few offenses. Having the “wrong” candidate’s pamphlet or signage on your person, or in your yard, would be a sure sign for an early grave.

The last time I checked, shortly after the election, there was no need to call out the National Guard to quell uprisings. No political heretics were burned at the stakes. For those things, I am thankful.

I am thankful, too, for all the candidates who love their city so much, which merited their willingness to campaign and make a difference with their involvement. Some of you have spent sleepless nights running hither and yon to one gathering or the next. How you do it, I don’t know. But all of you should be commended: Leonard Englund, Linda Kochmar, Jeanne Burbidge, Sonia Sciscente, Mike Peterson, Ronald Hall, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Troy Smith, Matthew York, Michael Morgan, Rebecca Robertson, Roger Freeman, Angela Griffin, Dave Larson, Mark Knapp, Roger Hershey, Ed Barney, Tony Moore, Bill Pirkle, Steve Skipper and Renee Walls, among others.

With democracy alive and well in these United States, we should be grateful as a people.

To the winners, I say congratulations. My prayers are with you. And for the also-rans, I say mazel tov to your effort. Even though you were not elected this time around, know that if you persist in your quest to be a public servant, your day will come. Don’t give up. Keep the faith.

If you’re ever in doubt, just do a cursory background reading about the indomitable Abraham Lincoln.

Federal Way is fast becoming a city with which to be reckoned. We are seeing its influence in our diversity more and more.

So this Thanksgiving weekend, let’s all put politics aside and unite around the turkey, celebrating with family and friends. If your sense of smell is acute, no doubt you will be able to sniff your way to your neighbors’ kitchens where they’ll be creating culinary wonders with the gobbly one: Turkey Bolognese. Turkey Fricassee. Jerked Turkey. Tandoori Turkey. Tequila-based Turkey. Barbecued Turkey. And the list goes on.

If we can be united around one common bird for one day, it is possible for us to cultivate a lifetime of camaraderie among all of us in our beloved city — may those celebrants be victors or vanquished. Republicans and Democrats. Christians and Jews. Pro-mayor or anti-mayor. Let’s model the way for the rest of the Washington, you wonderful citizens of Federal Way.

In the meantime, I wish a Happy Thanksgiving to you all.