Tickling the noses and filtering the room for all was the aromatic smell of roasted turkey, pumpkin pies, and spices, meshed with all things nice. Hungry eyes feasted over the meal being prepared. Also, smiles were written on many faces, accompanied by much laughter in anticipation of what was to come.
The above scene will be replayed throughout our nation. It is a time where family and friends gather to enjoy a meal. But much can be lost in the celebration and the opportunity to give thanks can easily be missed. Giving thanks requires little preparation and can be demonstrated in many ways. Consider incorporating one or more of the following simple suggestions:
- Prayer – Giving thanks to God or a higher power for what has happened in our lives and families as well.
- Around the table – When seated for the Thanksgiving meal, invite members at the table, if they so choose, to reflect on one or two things or persons for which they are thankful.
- Cards and Letters – For service personnel and those unable to attend, consider sending them thank-you notes specifying what you are thanking them for.
- Invitation – If one knows individuals who are by themselves, why not invite them over for Thanksgiving. If not, send a meal to them.
- Volunteer – If there is a community dinner, offer to volunteer to aid in the dinner.
- Photo/Journal – To capture these special moments, create a journal filled with personal comments and photos of this special time together.
- Social Media – If not able to physically be present at the Thanksgiving gathering, try to use technology to virtually attend it. It can be used for FaceTime or texting loved ones.
Enjoy these special moments in time as they are one string of many that binds family and friends together. In these challenging times, sometimes that one string is just enough to hold things together. I hope that you all have a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving.
“Be thankful for what you have, and you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never have enough.” – Oprah Winfrey
