Are We Thankful Enough This Year at Thanksgiving?

Hands in the air—three weeks ago, how many of us saw the Halloween decorations flying off the shelves, only to be replaced by Christmas merchandise in stores? It’s like they forgot Thanksgiving, right? What are you doing this year for Thanksgiving?

As children, we learned about the first meal shared when the Pilgrims invited Wampanoag Indians to join hands and hearts and gave thanks for the “autumn harvest.” The holiday continues now, but what are you truly thankful for, at this very moment? Food, football, friends and fun? Is that enough?

Giving thanks and being thankful—that’s what our special day is dedicated to each year.  I’m especially thankful for my family, those with us, and those gone.

The best gift of all to give this holiday season is–your time. It’s priceless, cherished, and irreplaceable.

In 1789 George Washington introduced the event as a national holiday.  Fast forward to 1989 President George H.W. Bush, when granted the first official pardon to a turkey, a tradition that continues today, including this year.

It’s time for us to grant a few turkeys we know a pardon or two as well, right? It is a spirit of thankfulness by which we can find reasons to change our hearts and minds to look at people who may have not impacted us the way we would have hoped, a time for forgiveness.

On television, we’re seeing commercials that pit “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” against the stores who feature “We are allowing our families to be with their loved ones at Thanksgiving this year and so we’ll be closed on Thanksgiving,” taking a stand. 

Does your family do the campout in front of stores to be first in line, or are you going online to do your shopping at your leisure? The approach to “Black Friday” is often a family tradition, too.

Giving thanks in the United States is celebrated as a meal, enjoyed together or bringing covered dishes to another family home, but really, isn’t it celebrated first in our hearts?

“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds.” — Theodore Roosevelt.