Gratitude

We all look forward to celebrating Thanksgiving. It’s a favorite holiday for most everyone I know. I mean, what’s not to like? Turkey, dressing, gravy, sweet potato casserole, green beans, pecan pie, and the lists of mouth-watering foods go on and on.

We gorge ourselves on great food and conversation, but by the time our meal is over we’re on to the next thing – specifically, Black Friday and grabbing up all those wonderful deals for Christmas! We have lists made and our plans laid out in detail from what time to start out to the stores to hit first.

Yet, during all of this Thanksgiving preparation and activity, we tend to leave out the most essential ingredient – genuine gratitude.

In all the hustle and bustle, we forget that the reason we are able to sit around a beautifully decorated table with food from end to end is that we are blessed.

We are blessed with the freedom to pray as we wish, to love those we choose, and a rich and prosperous nation.

We are blessed with a roof over our heads in which to present such a bountiful spread; blessed to have family and friends to in which we share this bounty. We are blessed with health, happiness, and a warm fire to sit by as the evening draws nigh.

So, this Thanksgiving let us truly be thankful when we gather together around the table. Share laughter, fond memories, and the love of gratitude we hold in our hearts for each other.

Happy Thanksgiving and may you and your family be blessed in abundance now and in the coming year.

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Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Today I will spend cleaning and baking and reflecting on the things, I am most grateful. The dictionary defines being Grateful as a feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; being thankful. Voices of gratitude are heard the loudest this time of a year, wouldn’t it be nice to hear them all year long. There used to be a time when we did.

Recently, while antique shopping I came across a book, Etiquette Up To Date by Cornelius (Mrs) Beeckman, 1938. I bought the book out of sheer curiosity and was amazed at the author’s insight, the difference in decorum, manners, and how much we’re missing today by not teaching gratitude, graciousness, and thoughtfulness. Here are just a few of the pearls of wisdom from Mrs. Beeckman’s book:

“Being gracious, being thoughtful, being kind, having a decent regard for the other fellow: this is etiquette- call it good manners, courtesy, common sense, decency, or what you will – ”

“People will like you better, and you will like yourself better if you graciously say “Please” and “Thank you” and “I beg your pardon” and ” How kind of you to say that” and “You were very good to do that for me” and other illuminated phrases that show you do not live in a world bounded on all sides by yourself.”

Sometimes I think we forget how the things we want or do impact other people. It’s good to be reminded the world does not revolve around us.

Thanksgiving night as you head off into the Black Friday abyss, and elbow your way through Christmas crowds, remember Mrs. Beeckman and her call for decency and graciousness. Be an example to those around you and to your kids. She said, “Parents are the standard bearers for the child,” and I have to agree.

The holiday season is a busy time of baking, stuffing our faces, enjoying family, friends and Christmas shopping. For some it will be thrilling and fun, while others may find it overwhelming, dysfunctional, and stressful. Whichever it turns out for you, be gracious in spirit, thankful, show appreciation and gratitude for God’s blessings. Here are some of the many things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1. Family

2. Friends

3. Bountiful food

4. A Roof over our heads and a warm bed to fall into after stuffing ourselves and shopping

5. Money to shop

6. The freedom to do these things

7. Faith

8. Pets

9. Health that is improving

10. Laughter

11. The ability to read

12. The ability to write

13. My readers

Comment and add your list of things to which you are grateful.

And, as we sit down with our families this Thanksgiving and express our gratitude, don’t forget those who are less fortunate. Say a prayer for the hungry, the poor, those under persecution in Israel and the American citizens whose lives were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Donate to the American Red Cross to help with their recovery.