Norman Rockwell "Freedom From Want"
Thanksgiving is just around the corner you gluttony starved Americans! Time to unbutton your pants a little and let out your belt. Surprised by some, but this is one of my favorite holidays. Maybe more-so than Christmas and New Years. Why? I don’t know… It could be the gathering of people, LOTS of people (its obvious because I am such a social butterfly), the aroma of turkey gravy and stuffing, the sweet crisp of pumpkin pie crust, or the fact that simply I have a lot to be grateful for! Yes, I choose the latter! Thanksgiving food is my favorite, especially the pie, but I have so much in my life that simply can not be repaid.
I think we all kinda start reminiscing about our lives and immediate futures when approaching one of the oldest traditional holidays formed in the American colonies. If it wasn’t for those ever so gracious Wampanoag Indians back in 1621 sitting down to a hot meal with the Plymouth colonists, we would never be raising so many turkeys for this time of year.
Which by the way is simply an amazing idea. When as child did you ever ask your loving cook maid, aka mother, for a turkey dinner? I can’t remember ever doing that. Without Thanksgiving, I along with many other american children, would not even have had turkey in their diet. Due to the monotonous rhythm of life, I think it is a great idea to spice up the dinner table with our feathered friend.
This past Sunday I sat in the pulpit and listened to this very homely red headed single adult talk about gratitude. At first, being my easily distracted self, gave into the frivolous pleasures like quietly giggling with my friends, I heard something that caught my all listening ear. He was speaking about people not having the basic essentials that every single one of us take advantage of. For example fresh water, clean smelling soap, tooth brushes, shoes, a friend, carelessness, and more. The simplest things he spoke of never really enter my mind when thinking over my list of thankfulness. Like many of you, I mention my car, family, friends, home, education, the gospel, clothing, freedom, money, a job, and of course FOOD! But it isn’t until you are camping or completely out of your comfort zone in another country that you realize the basics are pretty darn great!
Just yesterday I hit another all time low. I go to work and feel completely worthless. I come home and feel completely worthless. No passion. Just boredom. Theres nothing that makes me want to jump out of bed in the morning. Nothing that makes me want to smile and look forward to the next minute in the day. I feel completely apathetic and comatose about my everyday doings. I wrote the facebook status, “I need excitement in my life… Any ideas?” and the answer I got was one word…”Sex”….. Reallly people? I can’t even do that because yes I am still unmarried!
So following the same routine when i get upset and start crying I call my mother. She reminded me all there is to be grateful for. She also gave me ideas on what I could do to keep myself busy. She says pick up a hobby! Like I haven’t already thought of that mother! haha. My recent hobbies of reading and crafting have become almost a nuisance. I then talked to my Uncle Walt, who has become almost a father in these past years, gave me a GREAT PICK-ME-UP pep talk! Reminding me again that this is just a short lull in my life, that by the time I know it, I will be so busy I won’t be able to keep up. This I am excited for!
So to bring this post to an end, I am grateful for the upcoming Thanksgiving because it couldn’t come at a better time. When life right now seems passionless and lethargic, I just remember that I have a purpose and that I am hear to show my gratitude to others.
My Thanksgiving outfit! (I go all out when its a holiday!)
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