Author: E.Y. Redal

A Thanksgiving Day I’ll Never Forget

What is gratitude? Isn’t it that we should be thankful to God for all his benefits and to be thankful always to those who care for us like our military, police and firemen? Of course, that we should do on Thanksgiving Day as well as every day. But how about that poor family you know of, that single mom who you know doesn’t have much to live on or that widow who lives alone in the house she used to share with her husband and children. We should also think about the homeless folks. In this day of high prices and low employment, there are many, some whole families, living in their automobiles! Yes, we should not only think about them but do something like visiting them and bringing them something they need even if it is only a visit.

Today, I’m thinking about our little Hideaway chapel that I led from 1971 to1992. We always gave groceries and a turkey to families the school told us needed food at thanksgiving time. One year we gave eight baskets. My husband and I delivered one to a mother and son who lived in a small trailer in the woods.They were both inside and had no heat. It was a cold November day. She told us her husband had left with their only car and had never returned. She was ill and could not go out to get work.

They were left with their travel trailer and only the food in the trailer. The son, nine years old, had walked to the nearest town and asked if anyone had a job he could do. He told people his story but nobody believed him. The man running a grocery store finally gave him some groceries he was about to throw out. The boy was happy and went home to his mother.

We gave them the basket and my husband gave him the money he had in his wallet. They were overjoyed! We went into town and told the story to the police. They said they would go out there and bring them into town. They would see that they were taken care of. We have checked on them and found the mother is better and has a job. The boy is attending the local school and they live in an apartment. But what would have happened if we didn’t have those Thanksgiving baskets?

Maybe there wis someone who needs your help this cold season of the year?

Why Do We Have A Thanksgiving Day Anyhow?

Why do We Have A Thanksgiving Day anyhow? Is it the day before Black Friday, the day the stores are open longer and people go from store to store looking for bargains? Is it the day to watch football games and eat lots of treats while you are watching? Is it the day we bring in Christmas, as far as our music and decorating is concerned? Is it Turkey Day? Or is it the day the family all gets together to eat a fabulous dinner?

I don’t think any of those things were originally the reasons for having a Thanksgiving Day. I have read most of the proclamations of Thanksgiving by American Presidents and most of them say it is a day to give thanks to God for our freedom, a  prayer of thanks for our military men and women and for our families.

Why have we mishandled this beautiful day? Oh we have a dinner and say a prayer before we dive in but that seems to be all. The men hurry to the television set to watch the football game and the women spend their time planning the shopping trip they will begin around midnight.

Why don’t we set Thanksgiving Day aside as a special day to give thanks for all things. It might be a good idea to have each family member tell things he or she is thankful for. These are not big ideas but they do start a conversation and that is always good. Let’s forget about shopping, Christmas or football games until another day. This day is to give thanks for the things that have happened to you over the past year. If you have had bad luck this past year, you can aways find something you are thankful for.

Think of the dinner all prepared by volunteers for those people who are homeless or lonely. Maybe you even gave some money to those volunteers. Isn’t that something to give thanks for? I am talking as much for myself and my family. I hope this year we will really give thanks. How about you?

 

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