And in a blink we’ve gone from Halloween to Thanksgiving. The markets are filled with people getting last minute supplies. Kids are clutching their handprint turkey art in their hands as they ride home from preschool in their strollers. And of course, every TV show has a Thanksgiving episode that, no matter how irreverent, ends with a heartwarming moment of thanks for friends and family being together.
As for me, I’m thankful for friends and family too. (At least most of them, most of the time.) Where would any of us be without those who know us best, prop us up when we feel down, congratulate us on our achievements, bring us back down to earth when we get a little cocky, and share the good and bad times with us?
Thanksgiving is a great time for my family to remember how lucky we are—roofs over our heads, cell phones to connect us even though we live across the country from one another, plenty of (vegan!) food to fill our stomachs, and careers that we love. But it’s also time to remember that others may not be lucky as we are this holiday. My heart is with the people in California who lost so much in these fires. (My kids live in Cali, so this one hits close to home.) I am thinking of people living in shelters or, worse yet, out on the streets, who may not be having the warm Thanksgiving dinner we see on those TV episodes. I am sending thanks to our troops across the globe, who are protecting our freedoms. I hope you will be keeping all of them in your hearts and minds this Thanksgiving.
Donating to charities that help others is a wonderful way to say “Thank you” for all you have. During the upcoming season, try to spare a little cash for those who are in need. If cash is tight, donate your time at a shelter or a children’s hospital. Or, if you live on the west coast, try doing something to bring a smile to families who have been displaced this year. You will be surprised at how good you feel when you help others. Or maybe you won’t—because I suspect the folks reading this blog are already givers. Readers tend to be people who look beyond themselves. After all, when you read a book you open your mind to worlds beyond you own four walls. I suspect most of the people who visit my site are readers. And for that, I am thankful.
Happy Holidays all. Wishing you good health and happiness during this joyous (and sometimes stressful) season. And to my two offspring celebrating Thanksgiving together on the other coast-- try not to fight over the drumsticks this year okay?
As for me, I’m thankful for friends and family too. (At least most of them, most of the time.) Where would any of us be without those who know us best, prop us up when we feel down, congratulate us on our achievements, bring us back down to earth when we get a little cocky, and share the good and bad times with us?
Thanksgiving is a great time for my family to remember how lucky we are—roofs over our heads, cell phones to connect us even though we live across the country from one another, plenty of (vegan!) food to fill our stomachs, and careers that we love. But it’s also time to remember that others may not be lucky as we are this holiday. My heart is with the people in California who lost so much in these fires. (My kids live in Cali, so this one hits close to home.) I am thinking of people living in shelters or, worse yet, out on the streets, who may not be having the warm Thanksgiving dinner we see on those TV episodes. I am sending thanks to our troops across the globe, who are protecting our freedoms. I hope you will be keeping all of them in your hearts and minds this Thanksgiving.
Donating to charities that help others is a wonderful way to say “Thank you” for all you have. During the upcoming season, try to spare a little cash for those who are in need. If cash is tight, donate your time at a shelter or a children’s hospital. Or, if you live on the west coast, try doing something to bring a smile to families who have been displaced this year. You will be surprised at how good you feel when you help others. Or maybe you won’t—because I suspect the folks reading this blog are already givers. Readers tend to be people who look beyond themselves. After all, when you read a book you open your mind to worlds beyond you own four walls. I suspect most of the people who visit my site are readers. And for that, I am thankful.
Happy Holidays all. Wishing you good health and happiness during this joyous (and sometimes stressful) season. And to my two offspring celebrating Thanksgiving together on the other coast-- try not to fight over the drumsticks this year okay?