I have much to be thankful. I will do what I’ve done for the past several years which is volunteer at a nursing home a few blocks from my apartment. Since I wanted to keep a close eye on the naked kidz I didn’t want to venture too far from home.
A family member who asked that I come to dinner was a bit disappointed I said no, saying to me that the family thought my insistence on just baking for the holiday and going off the spend it with strangers is sad and becoming an annoyance. I was surprised at the sentiment since volunteering is something I’ve done and the family use to do regularly in the past. We still feed on the richness of the bounty, but most of the children are grown and most of what we speak of has more to do with Black Friday, Football and other topics that keep us from really connecting on an emotional level.
Though I think over time I have become a bit isolated (I’m working on becoming more social) I have much to be thankful for. Though this has not been my best year by far, I am grateful for the day, my life and just being able to wake to see the sun. It’s why I volunteer, sometimes just the acknowledgement of simply being alive and sharing that joy is enough to sustain the day. In Psalm it says “For the love of The Compassionate will last forever, God’s faithful care, throughout all generations.” I think that’s what we give up in our pursuit of a better bargain or richer food. Thanksgiving is a day of compassion; like the natives of this land showed to the settlers in teaching them how to work the land, plant and live, I want to spend my time extending that gift to others with the hope that it endures through their lives and mine.
Everyone have a Happy Thanksgiving. Please remember those in need of you.
