Thanksgiving Wish

I was thinking of Thanksgiving and all the good things it holds for many of us. Friends, family, food, football, naps, leftovers, a day off and parades are just some of the things we look forward to on this day. It also marks the spearhead to the winter holiday season, and is immediately followed by the biggest shopping day of the year. This year, it would seem that many stores are now opening at 5am, which seems obscene to me. But the ridiculousness of consumerism is for another day. Today is about Thanksgiving and what it should mean to all of us.

The tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to the Pilgrims, who came to this country several hundred years ago looking for religious freedom. The Pilgrims had a feast after their first year in 1621 to give thanks to God for their bountiful harvest. This celebration of a harvest is not an American only concept, as it is celebrated in different forms and at different times in both Canada and the UK. Thanksgiving as we know it took many years to evolve. After the country was founded, Thanksgiving was declared by the sitting president, and it was erratic at best. Thanksgiving was not celebrated yearly until 1863, when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday in November would be a National Thanksgiving Day. It has been celebrated annually since. But there were still some hurdles for the holiday to overcome. Franklin Roosevelt attempted in 1939 to make Thanksgiving the third Thursday of the month, in order to give retailers more sales time for Christmas and attempt to help jump start the country out of the Great Depression. It did not last, but the attempted change did help settle in law when Thanksgiving would be celebrated. Another familiar tradition, the annual pardoning of a turkey, is believed to have started in 1947 with Harry Truman. Although there are some that say it began with Lincoln pardoning his son’s turkey. Thanksgiving Day football began with a game hosted by the Detroit Lions in 1934. The Lions have hosted a game each year since then to this day. There is much more to learn, and interesting factoids, about Thanksgiving, and if you are interested, check out this great article on Wikipedia.

But what got me thinking about this day is the original meaning of Thanksgiving, giving thanks. Now, most of us have nothing to do with farming or bringing in a harvest. I would venture so far as to say many have never even been to a farm or seen a harvest. We reap the benefits of farming every day with the food we eat, clothes we wear, coffee we drink and houses we live in. But as for being something more than an end consumer, well, the concept is foreign to many. But does that mean we have nothing for to give thanks? Should we ignore a key part of this day merely because we are now a technological society as opposed to an agricultural one? I do not think so. I think we should use this opportunity, amidst the turkey, sports, parades and naps, to take a moment and reflect upon our lives. We should take a few moments this day and look at our lives and see all that we have, personally, for to be thankful. In a dangerous world where many things seem to be hopeless and the news a never ending parade of sadness and fear, we tend to forget the good things that have happened to us.

I have more than a few things to be thankful for this year. And if you will allow me a moment of indulgence, I would like to share them with you, and give thanks for each one.

I am thankful for….

….good friends to spend this day with. I am lucky to have friends who get together for an orphans Thanksgiving. Most of us are away from family on this day, and we look to each other as family to fill this gap. Not everyone can make it each year, and the cast is always rotating, but there always seems to be a few that we can share this day with, and for that I am thankful.

….long time friends that I still know and are close with. As we go through life, new people enter it all the time and old people tend to leave it. Be it because of changes in us, or them, time or distance, we tend to lose friends along the way, left only in our memories. I am thankful that I have some really dear friends in my life that I have known for a long time. That after much time, distance, moving, changes in our lives, our careers, our tastes, likes and dislikes we have managed to stay friends and keep close is not only a wonder, but much to be thankful for. I am very thankful that I have kept, and continue to keep, these beautiful souls in my life.

….new friends that I have come to know and care about. As new people come into your life, most make some sort of an impact on us. Some stand out, and show you that they are people you want to know and have in your life. I am thankful for all the friends I have made over the past few years that have become a part of my life.

…. my family. I do not get to spend as much time with them as I should, or as I would like, but the time I do get with them is precious, and I cherish each moment. I am thankful that I have such loving parents that helped me become the man I am today and a wondrous brother who never ceases to amaze and entertain me.

….the people that protect and defend me, those I love, and everyone else in this country. Thank you for all that you do. It does not go unnoticed.

…. my job and my boss. I have had this job for almost two years, and the adventure has yet to abate. I have managed to do and see things I never thought possible since I began to work for this company, and I have even surprised myself. And my boss is a great guy, who pushes me to be better, and has shown himself to be generous in spirit and other ways. Thanks to him, I have seen and done things I never would have imagined. I am thankful for both.

…..Pittsburgh winning the Super Bowl. I know this seems rather odd, and superficial, but I must say that watching my favorite team win it all has given me something to smile about all year long. I have spoken before regarding my relationship with my father, and how football has provided a bond between us. I was merely a child the last time Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl, so I had yet to develop this common interest with my father at that age. But this time, we had that bond, and that made the victory all the more special. It was something we could both celebrate and share. And if for no other reason than that, then I am more than thankful for their victory.

….the most wonderful girlfriend any man could ask for. I am beyond lucky to be dating a beautiful, intelligent, sexy, caring and sweet woman, who is far kinder, nicer, and loves me more than I could ever deserve. Her sweetness, kindness and love that she gives not only to me, but to those around her and the animals she works with everyday is seemingly limitless and boundless, and I am lucky and thankful to be a recipient of even the tiniest portion, even though I greedily take as much as possible. Lucky for me, she is always there with more. She is understanding, caring, patient, loving and most important; she loves me for exactly who I am, warts and all. I am thankful to have her in and as part of my life.

These are things that are very meaningful to me, and I feel strongly about giving thanks for having them all in my life. No amount of money, material goods or societal trappings could give me the joy and love that each of the above brings me. I would urge everyone out there to make your own list, and think of the things in your life that bring you true joy and happiness not only today, but each day. Remind yourself each day of these things, especially as you go through your day to day lives. We can get so wrapped up in the minutiae of everyday life, we tend to forget what is really important to us. Keep these things close, so you do not lose sight of what is truly important in your own lives.

I know some of us out there probably do not think they have that much for to be thankful. And I know there are those out there who have lost more than they have gained this year, and can right now only look upon these times of joy with tears and sadness. But remember, if the joy was not there originally, the sadness would not be there now. You have people in your life that you can lean on through the tough times, and that is something for which you can give thanks. If you know someone who is having a hard time this year, or less fortunate than you, reach out to them, give them a shoulder to cry on, a leg to stand on, a friend to talk to and to spend time with. Giving comes after thanks, and both should always go hand in hand. Remember, if you have a few good friends and family, you have more than most. If you can find a way to come together for this day and spend time with each other, you have all you really need this day. Best wishes this Thanksgiving Day to one and all.