Thanksgiving Thoughts

Thanksgiving Day traditions are part of the warp and woof of our society and of every family in our nation.  Sitting in the doctor’s office the other day I heard a couple of elderly matrons excoriating a young man who had the courage to admit that he and his wife were not going to have turkey on “Turkey Day”.  Instead they were going to have a nice pot roast.  The sputtered howls of derision and hoots of disgust were truly a thing to scorch the ears.  You would have thought that the young man had admitted to plans for stuffing and roasting Santa next month.  It was enlightening to be a spectator to that encounter.  As the young man paused to wait for the elevator near my chair I smiled at him and said, “Should I even ask what you are doing for Easter?”  He was laughing as the elevator door slid shut.

I am sitting here alone this Thanksgiving morning in the home of my daughter and her husband of just over a year.  I’m thankful for the joy that emanates from the people who live here even though it is often splattered with the drool from their huge Grand Pyrenees dog, Gilbert (aka: Gildrooley).  Every time he shakes his mammoth head it’s like standing out in a warm viscous spring shower.  That experience makes me thankful for our own Noelle who demurely sits and watches me, only biting my elbows and knocking things off the shelves when I don’t pay attention to her wants and desires!

The love of my life just sat down next to me (two of us are conscious now) in her fuzzy red pajamas with reindeer on them.  One of the reindeer is standing on his hind feet, with a hand on his hip and he looks as though he’s singing.  I don’t know … it could be a she for all I know, but …. back to the love of my life.  I’m so thankful that God made her just for me.  I’m thankful for the 43 years that we’ve been adventuring together (and we’ve had some wild adventures) and for the fact that I’ve never been in doubt (not even a little) about her love for me.  I don’t deserve her and the fact that I have her makes me even more thankful than I might be.

Speaking of that which I do not deserve; I’m thankful most of all for the great privilege I have to know and serve the Savior.  People often ask me how I am doing and one of my standard responses is, “Not as good as I’d like, but better than I deserve.” … and it’s true.  I won’t be doing as good as I’d like until I get to glory … but I deserve nothing.  And yet, He has given me so much both in this life and stored up for the one to come.  O give thanks unto the Lord for He is good!

The list of that which I am thankful for today is one that would exhaust all the hours of the day.  One day is not enough to recount them all and do justice to each one.  Perhaps that is why we are to be a thankful people each day of the year.  What are YOU thankful for?  Eat and be thankful today … whether you are eating pot roast or turkey … have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  But in the end … be ye thankful … every day!

PS:  I do think the stuffed Santa has possibilities!  🙂