Black Friday, Early Bird Discounts, and now Grey Thursday.
It’s interesting that when you look outside and a storm is coming we usually describe the sky as very grey or black. Now as Thanksgiving is approaching instead of being bombarded with stories of appreciation for all we have, we are flooded with ads and promotions showing us how easy it will be this year to obtain even more material goods.
Perhaps next year we will even begin to see the holiday spelled Thank$giving instead of with an “s.”
It is our prayer that we remember and prioritize the true meaning and reason for this incredible day.
Thanksgiving Day is a time for friends and families to get together, share a meal, enjoy each other, and give thanks for the countless blessings that fill our lives.
As children we remember waking up and finding mom and dad still in their pajamas, cooking food, and preparing for a day of fun and relaxation with those who matter most to us. There was the smell of turkey roasting in the oven, fresh rolls baking, and the aroma of pumpkin pie beckoning to us to sneak a taste.
There was a parade showing on the television welcoming in the holiday season and we sat and watched in awe as larger than life balloons of our beloved cartoon characters floated on the screen high above the heads of the observers below. There was dancing and singing, and marching bands from around the country showcased their talents for our entertainment.
We put on our warmer clothes, our grubbies, to go outside and play a pickup game of football with neighborhood friends and family who had already begun to gather at the house. We got dirty, we got rough, we laughed, and we had fun while strengthening relationships with the ones who always have our backs.
Mealtime would arrive and we would eagerly march inside, shower, clean up and put on clothes to present ourselves at the table and before our God. We would join hands with those we loved and bow our heads to express our gratitude for every blessing in our lives.
The feast would begin and everyone would enjoy the bounteous harvest supplied by God that day. We would eat until the only option was to undo a button or two on our clothes and sit down in the nearest comfortable chair and fall asleep to the sounds of the football game on TV.
Memories were made, feelings of joy and contentment were felt, and we ended the day tired and worn out from time spent in gratitude with our family and friends; not from rushing to the next great deal at the store in order to score the item we wanted to add to our checked off list of things to buy.
This Thanksgiving take time out and create lasting memories with those who matter most not with the things that matter least. Hug each other a little tighter, laugh a little louder, eat a little bit more, and smile until your face hurts.
Most importantly give thanks and appreciate everything you have been given from above.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.