Well October has passed and November is upon us. For most people, this means putting away the pumpkins and finishing up the leftover candy to make room for Christmas trees, wrapping paper, and those redundant yet catchy carols. While I am just as excited for "Jingle Bells" and gingerbread men as the next person, I find it very unfortunate that the mindset of most people right after Halloween is to move straight into Christmas. Uh, guys… aren’t we missing a very important holiday? Let me give you some hints: turkey, pilgrims, Macy’s parade. Ringing any bells?
The more times I celebrate it, the more I realize what an underrated holiday Thanksgiving has become. As a child, it was always that day when the kitchen filled with the aroma of my mom’s mashed potatoes and delectable turkey that would send me straight to food heaven. My family would be packed into my tiny childhood house on a brisk November day, and we’d eat and watch football and nap ourselves into oblivion. My great aunts would pinch my cheeks and tell me I had grown so much since the last time they saw me, but the only conversation I was concerned about was how many pieces of pumpkin pie Mom would let me have that year. I enjoyed Thanksgiving, but not nearly as much as I enjoyed tearing the wrapping paper off my gifts on Christmas day.
As challenges, losses and responsibilities have crept their way into my young adult life, Thanksgiving has taken on a totally different meaning. Of course I jump at the opportunity to eat my body weight in potatoes and pie, but I think the root of Thanksgiving is often overshadowed by the glitz and glamour of the approaching Christmas season. As soon as November hits, we immediately start thinking about Christmas gifts, holiday parties, and getting those darn lights perfectly placed on our houses before Old Man Winter sinks the temperatures. But what about the part where we stop and give thanks? What about the part where we consider all of the blessings, all of the small triumphs, and all of the amazing people who make our lives worth living? Although it shouldn’t be this way, sometimes it takes experience in the real world to realize the importance of a day reserved for gratitude.
Growing up means facing harsh realities. We learn to prioritize, to manage our crazy schedules, and to choose the right decision rather than the easy one. We try and fail, we lose people to illness and poor decisions, and sometimes stress and anxiety cause us to stop living in the moment. I realize this sounds very negative and cynical, but whether we like to admit it or not, life is challenging. However, it is absolutely true that hard times exist so that we learn to appreciate those people and things that bring happiness to our days and peace to our nights. Although we should be thankful every day of our lives, Thanksgiving is that one special day out of the year reserved specifically for acknowledging life’s magnificence.
This November I challenge anyone and everyone to not only stop and acknowledge Thanksgiving, but also carry it in their hearts for the entire month. Wait on the decorations and the shopping and the cheesy Christmas music and take time to appreciate your blessings. If you’re a college student, show gratitude towards the family that supports you, the friends who keep you laughing, and the drive-thru worker who doesn’t judge you when you go on cheeseburger runs at midnight. If you’re a parent, take a break from your stressful, hectic schedule to appreciate the adorable little Rugrats who make your days entertaining. Remember, they won’t look at the world through those innocent eyes forever. If you’re a brother or a sister, think about what life might be like without your sibling(s). You definitely would not be as skilled at the art of arguing or giving a successful Wet Willy.
Additionally, be grateful for the little things – a good cup of coffee, your favorite song on the radio, or even that much-needed nap you get to squeeze in every now and then. The food might satisfy your taste buds, but the ability to stop and give thanks for this amazing life will most definitely satisfy your heart. Hold on tight to your blessings. They give you much more than the material things ever could.
