Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. In the past I have written about the history of this uniquely American holiday and on its importance for Christians. This year I want to get a little more personal.
From 1971 until Carol became too ill, we made every Thanksgiving personally memorable. Although we weren’t blessed with the children and grandchildren to share it with us, Carol and I worked together preparing a traditional feast of turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry relish, dinner rolls and homemade pumpkin pie with plenty of whipped cream on top. Carol was an excellent cook, but she allowed me to help with the cranberry relish, which consisted of chopped cranberries, chopped walnuts, orange zest and crushed pineapple. I also prepared the gravy and lifted the turkey out of the oven and back in for basting, siphoning broth for the gravy and adding dressing at just the right time. It was the only time we used our crystal bowls, good china and silver plated flatware and from the time we moved into our townhome it was the only time we ate in our formal dining room. At least until the leftovers were gone, which usually took about a week. Even without family, we found plenty for which to be thankful including each other.
Since Carol passed away, I have been invited to the home of Christian friends or shared a meal at Cracker Barrel with others on their own for the holiday. This year wasn’t looking too promising. I planned to schedule a handicap bus with a lift to get me to Cracker Barrel to meet a dear friend who injured her back and could not help me with the walker to ride in her car. Then the weather started to turn bad and tomorrow is still iffy. I was preparing myself to spend a quiet day at home alone. Then my caregiver came today with enough food for three or four people which she cooked and refrigerated for me to use as needed. Then I got an email from one our pastors that he was contacted by a CLCer who wanted to know if she could bring me a plate of food on Thanksgiving. Now it looks like there may be a break in the weather tomorrow after all. I’m not sure how everything will turn out, but I have a hunch I will be more than a few pounds heavy when all is said and done.
Please don’t think I’m writing this for sympathy. Even if I only had what was in my fridge and a peaceful day without human contact, I would not be alone. I am never alone. My Lord and my memories of joyous past celebrations would keep me company. I could spend all day thanking God for the blessings I have enjoyed so far this year and I’m sure I wouldn’t remember it all. Now, because of the wonderful Christians God has put in my life, I will feel very comfortable and happy no matter the weather.
I hope each of you reading this have a safe, wonderful Thanksgiving with family and close friends. There are always, always things for which to be thankful. The great thing about being a Christian is that we know who to thank for all of them.