I know this one is a bit early, but for some reason, I have been thinking of Thanksgiving a lot recently. The fact that I have been looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner may have something to do with that. So, if you will indulge me in a little early Thanksgiving celebration, that would be appreciated. You could even say I would be very “thankful.”
I have always looked forward to Thanksgiving Day. Time together with family always reminds me of the many things for which I am truly thankful. I can honestly say that most of my Thanksgiving Days have been of the very happy variety. There have, however, been Thanksgiving Days that were not as joyful as some others.
There was one Thanksgiving Day when my mom was in the hospital in Gainesville, Fla., and my dad and I had Thanksgiving dinner in the hospital cafeteria. That wasn't too bad. Mom was having elective surgery and the surgery had gone well, so we were both very thankful for that fact. The food could have been a little better, but we managed to make up for it at Christmas and during the next Thanksgiving.
Then there was the Thanksgiving, several years later, that was particularly difficult. I had moved to South Florida, a decision that “seemed to be a good idea at the time.” It was an incredibly lonely day for me. I didn't work that day and found myself alone in a big city with no friends with whom to spend the day; only my dog, who was as much of a comfort as she could be at the time. I went to the grocery store to perhaps find something that could give me a semblance of something “traditional” I could cling to. I figured a rotisserie chicken might pass for something close to turkey. There was no rotisserie chicken available, and none would be available for several hours. Not wanting to wait that long, I decided to settle for frozen lasagna. Mind you, the frozen lasagna was not bad, as I do tend to like lasagna. But it certainly was not my mom's turkey and dressing, by a long shot.
The next year, my boss at the time took pity on me and invited me to his house for Thanksgiving dinner. His young daughter (I think she was maybe five or six years old at the time) wanted to go around the table and have everyone say what they were thankful for. When it came to be my turn, I said I was truly thankful to have been saved from another Thanksgiving dinner of frozen lasagna. More than that, I was thankful for the friends around the table on that Thanksgiving.
I believe the hard times we face are every bit as much a reason for thankfulness as the easier, happy times. It is in those hard or difficult times that we are forced to re-evaluate and become reminded of what is really important. I have learned many valuable lessons through difficult times that I don't believe I would have learned had those times been easier. In learning those lessons, I do believe I have become a better person. I am certainly tougher for having the experience, that's for sure. For that, I am truly thankful.
Whether this is an easy, happy Thanksgiving, or a more difficult one, I hope and pray you find reason in your heart to be thankful. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.