Thanksgiving

              What a crazy year this has been.  Last week, a friend said to me “I have never seen anything like this before.” I bit me tongue to keep from answering, “Has anyone ever seen anything like this before?” I doubt it.  The pandemic of COVID-19 has changed our lives, scared us because it is so insidious and has taken too many lives. The election for a new President and the turmoil in transition from one President to another has astounded us.  We long for a vaccine to rid us of the virus and we pray for level heads in Washington while, privately, we wonder, What is our world coming to?  God is certainly up to something.

              Yet, I maintain we still have much to be thankful for when we celebrate November 26th.  The sun rises on a free country every day; we stand in awe and are thankful for the many people who have faced the COVID and dedicated their skills to save lives; a vaccine has been developed in record time; yes, our families might not gather as usual, but we are thankful for the love that binds us together in spite of being separated.

 I found this poem. Granted, it is a bit old-fashioned, but this anonymous poet does remind us of the many blessings we have.

Thanksgiving

T . . . is for our thankfulness for many joys and blessings.

H . . . is for our homes so warm and bright.

A . . .is for autumn, time for harvest and abundance.

N . . .is for nature’s beauty and delight.

K . . .is for the kitchens where good food is cooked with love.

S . . .is for spicy fragrances  in the air.

G . . .is for the gathering of family and friends.

I . . .is for the inheritance we share.

V . . .is for the vision that the Pilgrims held so dear.

I . . .is for high ideals in all they planned.

N . . .is for our native country brave and great and free.

G . . .is for God’s great goodness to our land.

I wish you all a joyous, happy Thanksgiving celebration this year.