HIDE THE TURKEY, THANKSGIVING IS NEAR


 “To my family: I love you. To the turkey: I’m sorry.” – Unknown

My husband speaks of a childhood memory. He and his cousins would visit Grand Mother for every Thanksgiving he can remember. One year in particular he can remember going to visit, and enjoying playing with the young turkey she had purchased. From New Years to Valentine's Day, to Saint Patrick's Day, to all the birthdays celebrated early in the year, they played with Fred, the name they had given him. Eventually Thanksgiving Day came, and he and his cousins rushed to the back yard to play with Fred.  They moped around all day wondering where that darn bird could be.  There was much talk around the dinner as to where Fred could be. Finally, grandma could take it no longer and she said, " I don't know why you are crying about that turkey, he's right here in front of you on the dinner table." It was a blow to all the kids around the table, and it was the first time that Gary ever realized that you didn't always go to the grocery store to pick up a "frozen bird" to bring to the table on Thanksgiving.

Despite the plight of the turkey on Thanksgiving, It is still a day to set aside to officially be thankful for all the blessings we have in our lives. Hopefully that gratitude is around for the whole year, but it is a good time to set aside for everyone to get together and celebrate.

When the pilgrims first arrived on what we now call America, it is said that the Native People, who already lived there, were welcoming --showing them how to use the plants, animals and spices that were native to their land. It seems to me that we often forget that very fact. Actually, all of our ancestors moved in to a new world. Hmmm, so we are all immigrants?

As we prepare to celebrate our own Thanksgiving later in the month, look for the new comers to your own neighborhood. Welcome them into your neighborhood, share where the best stores, and restaurants are. Let them know about your faith tradition and invite them to share about their own. Find out what people in your own neighborhood who could use an invite for a place to roost for Thanksgiving.

 “If the only prayer you ever said in your whole life was ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

Remember to include someone who might not always be included during the holidays. Spread the love, spread the joy, you may make a world of difference in someone's life.

Love, Laughter, and Thanks,

Rev Sandy Smith

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