The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese
[Elaine Slater Reese is a freelance writer in Spring Green, WI, who grew up in Hancock County near Bowen, IL]
We in the Midwest repeatedly use the word LOTTA.
I looked in my dictionary. There is no such word there! But this week, we will go a lotta places, see a lotta family, eat a lotta turkey, watch a lotta football, and do a lotta hunting and a lotta shopping.
Is it possible that this country might become a little less divided, a little more hopeful if instead of a lotta complaining, a lotta of focusing on ourselves, we each did a lotta counting? We might be surprised. If we count our blessings, we will actually probably realize how much we take for granted every day.
Each of us experiences difficulties. But a breath of fresh air, a step on our own, a smile- even from a stranger, a bird flying gracefully past us, the warmth of the sun-make your own list.
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the Pilgrims who probably had more difficulties and less â "things" than any of us. But they took the time to give thanks to their Maker.
We all seek happiness. Joy is a much deeper word. It is something we don't seek. It comes from within us as each day we take the time to appreciate so much what we take for grated or feel we deserve.
Let's don't let Thanksgiving go by without giving thanks. Let's not let another day of our lives go by without giving thanks.