Giving More Than Thanks

Tomorrow, the United States celebrates Thanksgiving. Originally a religious holiday, it has become much more secular over the past century or so. In doing so, however, it has also become, in my view, a much more revered holiday.¹ Christmas has become way too commercial (the day before Halloween, I was in a home center and Christmas music was already being played), Easter is on a seesaw between a deeply religious holiday and one devoted to chocolate eggs and marshmallow chicks and bunnies.

Memorial Day and Veterans Day are both rather solemn (although the latter is too often viewed as an excuse for a pre-Thanksgiving sale, and is not set aside by most commercial entities other than banks). Independence Day is certainly celebrated (mostly) in the spirit in which it is intended to be celebrated, but too many people are worried (rightly so) about the dangers posed by fireworks in amateur hands to be truly joyous.

Thanksgiving is a day to give thanks as individuals, as a family, and as a nation.

Thanksgiving, though, is a day for family, and for giving thanks for the blessings we  have enjoyed throughout the past year as individuals, as a family, and as a nation. I’m not a religious person by any stretch; however, I am a reverent observer of Thanksgiving. For instance, I’m thankful that almost every year, we are able to celebrate with at least one of our sons.²

I’m also thankful for the opportunities we’ve had through the past year to see Eric and his family, and Bryan (Scott lives here in Rapid City, so we see him quite often). We’ve been able to see my wife’s family as well, although not always under the most enjoyable of circumstances. Still, we have made the most of each of those gatherings. On a more mundane note, but one that is increasingly important to me, I also give thanks for the hundreds of friends I call my readers, and for all of you who encourage me through your comments, emails, and Tweets, to keep this blog alive.

But beyond that, as we move (all too quickly) past Thanksgiving into the heart of the “holiday season,” we have the opportunity to share those blessings with others who may not enjoy as much of the bounty of life as we do. For example, you’re reading these words on an electronic screen of some kind: desktop or laptop computer, smart phone, or media player. To do so, you are subscribed to an internet service provider or telephone carrier for considerably more money each month than a simple “land line” might cost.

You may well be leaving home early on Friday morning to spend scores or even hundreds of dollars on gifts for yourself, family, or friends for Christmas. As you do (or even if you’re smarter, as I am, and sleep in Friday morning), consider the hundreds or thousands in your area for whom Christmas, if it happens, is truly a gift.

Instead of (or in addition to) that four-dollar latte you pick up on your way to the mall, consider dropping that four dollars (or more) into a Salvation Army bucket or Angel Tree, or a Toys for Tots collection box. Do that, and see if you don’t start feeling better about yourself, and the world. (And if you don’t feel better, I suggest you keep dropping off four-dollar donations until you do.)

This year, give a little back to some who have little for which to be thankful.

Each year, my wife and I sponsor a needy family for Christmas through our local Boys and Girls Club. We buy gifts for the children, and we make sure the family has all the makings of a great Christmas dinner. We donate both cash and gifts to the local Angel Tree³ My wife also volunteers many, many hours to helping collect, sort, wrap and deliver Angel Tree gifts. It’s our way of giving back, and giving more than simple thanks, for the blessings we enjoy.

So if you can pay $15 a month for a World of Warcraft subscription, if you can go out and buy Blu-ray DVDs for yourself and others, and if you can justify the exorbitant cost of a smart phone contract, maybe you can also sacrifice a couple of too-expensive cups of watered-down coffee and give a little back to some who have precious little for which to be thankful. If you do, then you not only will have their thanks (which counts for a lot) but mine as well (which really doesn’t count for much).

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and may the blessings of the year past continue for you and yours throughout this season of giving and into the New Year.

Tagged as: Thanksgiving