Every year we are reminded at this time to be thankful for all those things we should be thankful for every day. We often pause on Turkey Day to give thanks for our family. Holidays are the only days some folks say grace. We all remember to be grateful on this one day a year, but I believe this year will be different.

This year when we thank God for our food, we will be reminded of all those starving people in Afghanistan. Those who cannot get to the sources of food without leaving their homes and traveling on perilous journeys to places they really do not want to be. All those around the world, that go hungry daily and sleep on an empty stomach every night, should be remembered. We must stop to realize how much food we all eat in this country where pigging out at a fast food chain isn't enough, now we must super-size and add extra burgers to our burger or a ½ pound of meat to our sandwiches.

Thanksgiving this year will not include half-hearted statements about how lucky we are to have family- it will be a heart-wrenching reminder of those who lost family in one of the many tragedies that the whole world has experienced in the last couple months. We listened to loved ones that still searched for their family when all reasonable hope should have been abandoned. We listened to the stories of all the good people, loving, caring human beings; valued by society who were lost forever. Many of these families not even able to say goodbye or properly bury their dead. We mourned with them, but will we now value our own family members more I certainly hope so? Be thankful you life is not filled with the grief and pain these people face especially during the holidays.

We saw how quickly things can change when tragedy strikes. Not only loved ones lost, but businesses, which had a great economic impact on our nation. Some people lost homes in the recent events and belongings. Although these cannot be compared with the loss of life, they must be considered when adding the toll. Dollars that could have been spent to do wonderful things were diverted to clean up and repair. Be thankful for our boring lives filled with sameness and monotony. We are certainly lucky in that respect.

But do we realize the one thing we should be thankful for every day- our freedom. Just listening to the plight of those ruled by the Taliban should be enough of a reminder. We take freedom for granted and just recently woke up to the fact that it comes with a cost. We should all give thanks for a country and government that allows us freedom even when we misuse it. We should thank God this year that we do not live in countries where education and freedom isn't for everyone. We should remember all that fought and are fighting to protect this nation's right to remain free. The flags are out now, but will they be here a year from now when freedom should be just as precious as today?

I think we should be thankful that the number of Ben Ladins is not greater than it is. Be appreciative that there are good parents and decent families who instill family values. We should thank God that we have systems in place and laws, that most times, protect us from such people and provided us with a sense of safety.

And we certainly should re-examine our spiritual lives to see if we need more time with God and less time with TV or sports. Let us determine if we are victims of indifference or worse yet intolerance of other cultures. When we ascertain the answers to these questions, thank God we have options to love instead of hate and choose to worship as we please.

So when you gather round the table, please, please take the time to be thankful for all these things as well as the good health to enjoy them. Happy Thanksgiving!

© Copyright 2001

Credits: Jo Ann Wentzel