The Last Blog For November 2008

Did this month go by fast for you? It did for me.
So much has happened this month. I remember...a President-Elect was chosen, the economy continued to plunge, a great many people lost not only their homes but their jobs, and a dear friend of mine went into the hospital. But despite some things that might make me feel depressed, I realize there are many things I feel grateful
for.
Many of us will celebrate Thanksgiving Day on November 27th. And although Thanksgiving receives far less attention than Halloween and Christmas, in the USA it's a very important holiday.
Many of us will celebrate in our homes or the homes of friends or family. Some people will celebrate Thanksgiving Day at a local restaurant. Some will be thankful for food received from a local shelter.
Today, most of us celebrate Thanksgiving Day by enjoying turkey with "all the trimmings." Others may have traditional, ethnic, or religious recipes, or a special food item that their family always serves at Thanksgiving dinner.
Although American traditions of Thanksgiving revolve around a huge and lavish meal, we often forget that Thanksgiving Day is the time to give thanks to our God for the things He has bestowed upon us and upon this great nation. And there's no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us. Even in our difficult
times.
Granted, as tradition has it in most families, a special prayer of thanks precedes the meal. In many homes, family members will each mention something they are very thankful for. But often that's where the thankfulness seems to stop. Many will kick back and relax after their huge meal, watch television (football is usually on) or go to a movie. The day will come and go, and the next thought will be "Here comes Christmas."
It's been a long time since that first Thanksgiving Day in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Indians sat down together to share their fall harvest. They, too, thanked God for the good crop and for being with them during their difficult times.
That's what I'm doing on Thanksgiving Day...being thankful for all the wonderful blessings God has bestowed upon me and, at the same time, asking Him to bless our men and women in the armed services, no matter which land they are in. There's no nation in the world that has more to be thankful for than us. And the economy will turn around, and people will get jobs again, and my dear friend in the hospital will improve.
I'm going to keep these prayers of thankfulness going all the way to the New Year...and beyond.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving, y'all.

All Thanksgiving Days Are Special

We are two days away from Thanksgiving Day 2007. This afternoon our library closes early at 5:30 p.m. We will be closed November 21 through 24, with our return to work on Monday the 26th.
Just thinking about Thanksgiving brings warm fuzzies my way. One Thanksgiving Day in particular always comes to mind. My two youngest children had gone off to their father's home for the holiday weekend, and I was left to my own devices. I think I'd made a pot of coffee and had decided to just "muck around" in my housecoat and slippers, watch a little television, read, and take several naps.
I remember the doorbell rang around 10:30 that morning. When I opened the door, there stood my two oldest children. They were both young men and on their own, so I was surprised they were standing at my front door.
Anyhow, when I asked them what they were doing, they said they'd come to take me out to Thanksgiving Day lunch. That really surprised me! But more than being surprised, I was so thankful I didn't have to spend the day all by myself. And I was extremely proud that my sons had thought of me on Thanksgiving Day and invited me to lunch.
Well, I got all dressed up and off we went. We were living in Omaha at the time and it took only about 15 to 20 minutes to get anywhere you wanted to go. Our drive was just down the street, under the bypass, and around the corner into Denny's parking lot. (I'm sure all of you know that Denny's is a restaurant.)
We had turkey and dressing and all the trimmings. We talked and laughed and simply enjoyed being with each other. And we didn't rush over our pie and coffee.
I don't remember the rest of the day or until my youngest children came home on Sunday. But I do remember that particular Thanksgiving Day and my oldest sons taking me out for lunch.
So, this Thanksgiving, because all my grown children live in different states than I do, I plan to share the Thanksgiving Day meal with my "adopted" son, who has no family close by. And guess where we're going for lunch. Yep! You're right! We're going to Denny's!
I hope you have someone to share your Thanksgiving Day with. If your family is a long way off, pick someone you know who will be by themselves also and share the meal. If you like to cook, invite friends and neighbors to get together, bring a dish, and share the meal. Sharing and being thankful for what we have is what it's all about.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your loved ones. May you make happy memories, too.

Today In History

President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation designating the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. (Talk about planning ahead. He did this in October! Most of us would have done it the day before Thanksgiving Day!)
(Source: The History Place at www.historyplace.com)