Giving Thanks On Thanksgiving

Nov 23, 2009 | Writing

I have always looked forward to Thanksgiving.  Christmas is still my favorite, but I am fiercely protective of Thanksgiving. 

 

I’m just sayin’ . . . 

Personally, I don’t allow myself to look at store displays or listen to radio stations that seem determined to trample Thanksgiving and Halloween in their frantic push to get us to spend our money.  Heck, you know if they could back up, roll over Labor Day, and get a bite of the 4th of July, they’d do that too!

Cornacopia Tag

Thanksgiving is a lot of things to a lot of people.  Most of us have time marked in the hallways of our minds around a certain Thanksgiving or two . . . Granddaddy’s last one, the one when mama burned the turkey, or the one when you finally graduated from the card table and got to eat at the big table.  With the adults.  Remember?  You were twenty-seven. 

My sister and I remember great Thanksgivings while we were growing up with Mama and Daddy at our grandparent’s house.  I spent one Thanksgiving working at a Zippy Mart in Auburn, Alabama and another at a friend’s house.  A few years ago, I was overseas with our troops for Thanksgiving.  I actually spoke at a makeshift hospital in the morning, traveled to another location, and that evening served food to a line of happy young people with trays in one hand and M-16’s in the other.

This Thanksgiving, I will be at home with family and friends.  And we will do something my father planted in my mind years ago.  We will be thankful.  Now, I know that seems to go without sayin’, but stay with me here.  Is it slightly possible that we become overwhelmed by all the hooplah and forget to be purposefully grateful on this, the one day of the year set aside for that specific purpose?

 

I’m just sayin’. . .

Indian Corn

As you get ready for this wonderful holiday with your family, I hope you’ll take the time to listen as I read this Thanksgiving story to you.  Okay?  Close your eyes.  It’s just you, me, Polly, the boys, and a few friends in our living room.  This is Chapter 15 from Return To Sawyerton Springs.

Happy Thanksgiving.  And as this one unfolds, remember that I am grateful for you.

 

Your friend,

Andy  

Explore

  • The Butterfly Effect
    The Butterfly Effect

    No project I have ever done in my life has affected me so profoundly as the research I did a few years ago on The Butterfly Effect.  Working with the United States Air Force at the time, I was charged with finding “proof of the value of an individual life”. …

    Read More »
  • The Good News? No One Controls You…But You!
    The Good News? No One Controls You…But You!

    In this week’s episode, Andy answers a question from someone who is a husband, father, and business owner. He loves to help people reach their goals, but finds himself frustrated and angry when they don’t put in enough effort. He wants to know how to calm down and communicate better…

    Read More »
  • Teaching on Your Struggles
    Teaching on Your Struggles

    In this week’s episode, Andy answers a question from a father on behalf of his son. He’s wondering what guides or thoughts would be appropriate when setting goals this year. Andy also offers advice to a pastor who is seeking answers about how to teach a subject with which she…

    Read More »
  • Finding Harmony in Music and Life with Sugarcane Jane
    Finding Harmony in Music and Life with Sugarcane Jane

    Tune in to hear Anthony and Savana share stories that span decades of music, marriage, and the unexpected joy of finding harmony—in both.

    Read More »
  • Pulling for the Officials with Steve Shaw
    Pulling for the Officials with Steve Shaw

    Tune in to hear Steve talk about starting his new position March 2020...which of course meant a few weeks of just cancelling meetings. But as everyone in the industry had to pivot and rely on digital meetings, Steve says what they learned has made them better officials. Find out why!…

    Read More »

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This