What Are You Thankful For?

What Are You Thankful For?

Eileen Renders                     November 2023

   Thanksgiving stirs up memories of family and Thanksgiving dinners of the past when we all gathered together and often could not assemble at one table. It became a custom to set up another folding table for the children. We women all took part in preparing the table, lighting the candles, and helping in the kitchen to serve up the side dishes. But it was the man of the house who brought out the big turkey did the initial carving and placed it on the table. Fond memories indeed. We keep those memories close to our hearts and are grateful for family. God blessed with each family member.

   As the years pass, children grow up and get married, sometimes a career causes a move out of State. We can recall those times when someone was in the hospital, or a newborn was too young to travel and heir were those who were missing at the Thanksgiving table. Although we were happy, we missed them as well.

   Time passes often faster than we may have anticipated, and while we take joy in new life, an added member to the family, we must accept the death of an older member of the family. Suffice it to say, many spend Thanksgiving as an elderly couple or in a Nursing home. This year let us not forget the elderly in our families. Visit the Nursing home, and arrange for them to be at the Thanksgiving table. One day with God’s blessing we will be that elderly couple alone and missing family.

   Surely this describes a sad scenario to consider on such a happy occasion, and it is sad. But let us all think about that anyway. Happy Thanksgiving and God be at your table.