This is a day of thanks giving in the United States and like my family, others across the country will join together to share a bountiful feast. The menu might be different depending on the family’s traditions, but we join together to give thanks for what the past year has brought us and what the future holds.
Some families may begin their meal by everyone sharing what they are thankful for and although my family doesn’t do that, I nevertheless have always thought about exactly that. So what’s the answer?
I am thankful that I have so much to be thankful for. I have a loving family, a furry little being to keep me entertained and happy, a great job, good health, enough money to put food on my table and a roof over my head. It’s something that I need to remember when work is stressful or my family is driving me nuts or when things don’t appear to be going my way and I’m frustrated.
So many others have nothing. In parts of the world parents watch their children wasting away from hunger and dream of someone giving them a morsel of food or a sip of water so they can get through another day of hell. There are people, who through a single twist of fate, are homeless and living in a cardboard box. There are people whose unexpected diagnosis of a life altering or fatal disease are faced with horrific decisions that will impact not only their life, but that of their entire family. Famine, disease, poverty, violence – it all takes away the blessings we take for granted.
Days like today remind me that I too could be one disaster away from losing it all so Today at least I will appreciate all the loving people in my life and all the blessings I have been given and I will work hard to remember and cherish what I have.
Today and every day I also will appreciate and thank you for taking the time to read this and to reflect on the message. May your Thanksgiving Day be filled with love, laughter and appreciation for the blessings in your own life.
Be well my friends….
~BAL
Author Barbara A. Luker 