Thanksgiving 2018

Turkey Day is Thursday. Thoughts come back to me from days long ago of coloring pictures of Puritans and tracing my hand with a brown crayon on a piece of art paper to create the bird of the hour. I looked forward to a few days off from school too.

Thanksgiving morning would start out with enjoying the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on television and loving all the bands, floats, and huge balloons making their way down the parade route. I knew at the very end, Santa Claus would be in his sleigh waving to everyone, reminding all of us watching, to work hard to be on his “Nice List.”

Most kids anticipated a holiday dinner with all the trimmings and delicious desserts. Our moms usually would be in the kitchen in charge of the culinary magic, especially if the relatives were coming to our houses. If we were invited by family to join them, we brought something yummy to share.

Memories of Thanksgivings past bring warm and happy feelings to me. Being a child without a care in the world and focused only on the present made life wonderful. Oh, how I miss those days.

When you’re a grown-up, you realize not everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. There are so many, including children, not enjoying those wonderful dinners and feelings of belonging. It isn’t fair. But as adults, we know we also have the power to help and make a difference. If we have more than we need, why not share some of that with people who don’t. After all, isn’t that what it should be all about?

Find your local food bank and donate to it. That’s one way to share. Here in Central Virginia, it’s Feed More. A little bit goes a long way. I donate all the sales proceeds from Forest Christmas to them.

We adults have an opportunity to allow the little ones in need to make those wondrous holiday memories. I think Santa would approve if we took advantage of that opportunity.

May you and yours have an incredible Thanksgiving.

Happy Writing!