I was frantically searching for Halloween candy on Saturday, October 29th when I noticed the seasonal shelves were empty and there were photos of what was to be displayed next. Everything was for Christmas! This was in my local grocery store.
Yes, I know, Christmas decorations and merchandise have been out earlier than October 29th, but this moment made me wonder, “what about Thanksgiving?”
Why is this a holiday we tend to overlook?
Thanksgiving is not as glamorous as Halloween and Christmas, but it is a perfect time to reset our minds and really examine the positives in our lives. I love that Thanksgiving is a simple holiday. It’s a perfect time to relax and enjoy family and friends. Thanksgiving has given us “Friendsgiving”! A holiday that encourages us to be with the ones we love, without a checklist of must haves. We don’t have to have matching pajamas, we don’t have to have a costume, and we don’t have to worry about moving an Elf every night. We count our blessings and become even more thankful for our loved ones. Expressing our gratitude isn’t even that difficult. This holiday gives us the opportunity to just say thank you. Thank you for understanding me and thank you for being there. We have got to stop believing that we are required to create and execute grand gestures for Thanksgiving. Show up, open your heart, home, and mind, and give thanks.
If you need more to do than just say “thank you” and reflect, this is the time to give back. I love seeing posts on social media where my friends and family share “I’m thankful for….”, each day. It makes me realize what I am also thankful for. I love the idea of writing a note of gratitude and putting it in a jar and then reading it before Thanksgiving dinner, or just writing my boys little notes each day to make sure they know how thankful I am to be their mom. I love how schools, churches, and neighborhoods encourage people to donate food and clothes for those less fortunate. These acts of kindness tend to go unnoticed, but that is what makes them so unique and beautiful. They are appreciated so much more when they are unexpected.
Thanksgiving was my late husband’s favorite holiday. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I really understood why. Thanksgiving is not about getting anything or making a spectacle of yourself, it’s about being grateful and appreciating your life. I know that so many of us will have difficulties during the next couple of months. We will miss the ones we have lost and we will burden ourselves with unrealistic expectations.
Remember that November and Thanksgiving is the time to take a deep breath and be thankful for the simple beautiful things in our lives.
When you hear Christmas music or see Christmas decorations in November, remember that the forgotten holiday of Thanksgiving is still there, it’s just a simple concept of thankfulness that doesn’t need a grand entrance, it just needs appreciation.
Enjoy your Thanksgiving and I hope it brings FUN, FOOD, FAMILY, and FRIENDS. Happy Thanksgiving!
