Thanksgiving and the Holidays

Well, Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and many have already started preparing for the meals. The anticipation of friends and family gathering around a table to share food is something we all look forward to.

Despite the dire economic times we are currently experiencing, we do have a lot to be thankful for. We have the ability to communicate with almost anyone around the world, and those people are willing to communicate back with us. We should each be thankful for what health we have, because there will be someone out there who does not have what we have.

We should truly be thankful for the friends and family we have. Family is very important, even if you don't necessarily get along with everyone. You can't pick your family, but when times get tough, you can always rely on your family to help out whatever way they can.

Friends are different, they entered your life possibly by chance, but became friends by choice. Friends will be there to advise, tease, help and support you. Not all friends do all things, but that is why you have different friends. Each friend has a strength that you admire or a trait that you wish to learn. They in turn see a strength or trait in you that they wish to be near. It is very important during this time of year to not forget your friends and family and remember to thank them for the guidance and assistance they have provided for you.

There may have been occasions that you not have thought their guidance or advice was what you needed, but whether it was good or bad, they tried to help because they were your friend. If they didn't care about you, they would not have tried to help or advise, so be forgiving and thankful to all of your friends, especially now. You may not know all that they are personally going through. The best way to have a friend is to be a friend. If you think someone may need help, ask, listen, be a friend, you may be surprised (pleasantly) by the response.

What I particularly love about this time of year is the true warmth that is given by complete strangers. Despite the stresses, you still find people who will take the time to give a warm "Hello" and really ask how you are doing. It is the time of year to reach out and see what you can do to help someone out of a jam, even if it just means helping them reach an item on the top shelf of the grocery store. The only regret I have about this time of year is that people do not treat each other warmly throughout the year. It is my wish someday that we all help each other throughout the year, not just between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Something for all of us to work on next year....

I would like to wish all of you a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Be safe, take care, spend time with the people you care about and really take the time to be thankful for what you have and the friendships you have developed.

Until tomorrow...