November 22, our friends in the US will be celebrating Thanksgiving. In Canada, our Thanksgiving is in October. This is due in part to our earlier harvest and in part to our historical association with British customs. Their harvest commences with Lammas Day (August 1st) and ends at the autumn equinox. Regardless of when or where it is, Thanksgiving is a centuries old celebration of giving thanks at harvest time for our blessings.
As we give thanks for our blessings this year, we will also be thinking of those who are not safe and warm like us. Many are facing major challenges providing a meal or roof over their head for their family this Thanksgiving. The many whose lives have been smashed by Hurricane Sandy are of course very much in our thoughts at this time. We have seen in the news so much devastation and many tales of courage and determination.
And let’s not forget others who have been crushed by past disasters and still not recovered or events not as obvious but just as catastrophic that are the result of economic storms…
And so we give thanks for our blessings. Even if we don’t have much, we give thanks for our warmth, full bellies and safety and consider ourselves fortunate as we wish for the best, for those who do not have these things this Thanksgiving.
And after we give thanks then what we do?
Well we watch Football of course…And then we go shopping!
I know, I know…It would be crass to segue from giving thanks and feeling concern for those who are suffering, into a promo. So I won’t. Instead I would like to take the opportunity to wish you and yours the very best for this Thanksgiving and many blessings.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jan
