Thankful for Thanksgiving

It's that time of year again. No longer crisp and sunny autumn days, but not yet bitter and snowy winter. The calm before the storm of Christmas (though if you've been in a store or have watched much TV, it's been the Christmas season for at least a month). I've talked before about how Thanksgiving gets shortchanged, sandwiched between Halloween and Christmas. I almost feel obligated to promote it as a holiday. Now, I'm not quite ready to say that it's my favorite holiday, but there are a lot of reasons to be thankful for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not centered around alcohol. The purpose of the day isn't to drink early and often.

Thanksgiving does not require a "date." You aren't expected to have a partner for an appropriate celebration.

Thanksgiving is not a portrait in excess. Yes, many people overindulge at their dinner table. But it's not weeks of candy or hors d'oeuvres or desserts.

Thanksgiving is not loud. There aren't booms and pops into the wee hours of the morning. There aren't lots of people crammed into small spaces.

Thanksgiving is not about "getting." It's not about who has the most or the best or the biggest.

Thanksgiving is not a "season." It may extend into a long weekend, but it's really just one day. Decorations are modest. Gifts are not expected. Radio and TV programming isn't radically altered. Grocery store ads may have little turkeys in them, but we are not bombarded with things we must buy in order to have the perfect holiday.

Thanksgiving does not have to stir up the religious vs. secular debate. Now, don't get your feathers ruffled. It certainly has Christian origins. After all...to whom were the Pilgrims giving thanks? But it isn't biblical like a traditional Christmas or Easter. You can be thankful for what you have and appreciate what the country's earliest immigrants accomplished regardless of your individual beliefs.

So what is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is very personal. There are lots of "right" ways to celebrate. Your day may revolve around football, deer hunting, a turkey feast, serving others, shopping at the big sales, a parade, or a church service. Be thankful for the opportunity to participate in any of them. You may be surrounded by family or friends or strangers, being thankful for all that you have. Or, you may take a moment alone and simply be thankful that the sun rose again today. It's really just a grateful state of mind.

Everyone has their own way of celebrating--or not celebrating--a holiday. Thanksgiving Day doesn't ask much of us. We all can be thankful for having this one day. Everything else we do or have is a bonus.

I wish you a Thanksgiving that's just right for you. Thank you for reading.