Giving Thanks

It’s that time of year again.

A time when you need to remember just how got you’ve really got it– because no matter how annoyed or inconvenienced or sad you may be, somebody else out there has got it as bad or worse.

Just consider that somewhere tomorrow:

Somebody will be missed because they’re out working because they have to.

Somebody was in that car accident that kept you stuck in traffic for an extra hour.

Somebody will be sharing dinner with someone who molested them. Maybe earlier that day.

Somebody will be wondering how they’re going to pay for this dinner when the plant’s just closed down.

Somebody will be able to smell the turkey, but not be able to see it. For the first time. Others won’t be able to hear the dinner conversation. A few won’t remember the people that they’re eating with.

Somebody will have to make do with hospital food. Many of those folks will have to have help in being fed.

Somebody won’t be able to keep their food down because of the chemo treatments.

Some families have no kitchen to cook a dinner this year. Some have no homes to have a dinner in.

For many, this will be their last Thanksgiving ever. Some folks will know it and savor what they can. Others won’t know it’s come and gone until it’s too late, and they won’t make the next one.

And somebody– too many somebodies– just won’t have any dinner at all.

For you and yours, have a happy Thanksgiving. Be grateful for what you have, mindful of what you have taken, and share what you can. And even though it may be hard to remember all this when you’re stuck on the road, just remember– the traffic behind you is worse. Be thankful.