The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
By Elaine Slater Reese - Spring Green, Wi.
Many of us speak the same language this time of year. Most households talk about the turkey. In this case it refers to the poultry - not a person!
Then there is the word "stuffed". That is in reference to what we do to the turkey or how we feel after the Thanksgiving meal. Most homes have the TV on all day.
Men who fall asleep immediately after the turkey instantly become football coaches.
They get their daily exercise by jumping out of their chairs, stomping their feet and shouting words of encouragement or profanity.
Turkey or ham, dressing, gravy, cranberries, noodles (like Grandma used to make?), mashed or sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie - it is illegal to diet on this day!
And just about the time the dishes are all washed, someone decides they are hungry again.
This appears on the surface to be a great day. It is - except for one thing. What ever happened to Thanksgiving?
Remember that old saying "You never want a drink of water until the well runs dry"? That can be simply interpreted as we don't appreciate anything until we lose it.
Yes, there is sadness and sickness and many problems in this world.
What if we each had to take ten minutes and make a list of some of the things we are most thankful for?
Haven't we all been touched this past year as each day we watched on our TV screens the situations of many in other countries?
Of course, things are not perfect here, but what am I doing to make it even a little bit better?
I need to start by every day actually taking time to appreciate so much and thanking the Lord for His goodness.
A better world can only be a reality if each of us does a small part.
Let's all begin with acts of kindness and thanksgiving.
I'm in - how about you?
-Elaine Reese is a freelance writer from Hancock County, IL, now living in Spring Green, WI. for over 20 years.