As Thanksgiving approaches, families all over the country are grappling with what to do for the holiday. The hallmark of this day is collecting family and friends together to share whatever makes the day special whether it be turkey, sweet potatoes, corn, stuffing, cranberry, macaroni and cheese, or the ubiquitous green bean casserole. Our family is no different from yours, and for the first time in a few years we were planning on all of us gathering at one house for the day, bringing our good will along with various casseroles and pies.
Now that is no longer possible as the virus is not only spiking but, according to experts, may be expanding beyond our control. We are all trying to do the best we can for our family members and society by each staying at home and celebrating with those with whom we live. We are all terribly disappointed, and are holding out hope that next year will be different. But messages as varied as warnings from health officials to pleadings to avoid large gatherings from grandchildren’s schools have informed our decision.
However, with every setback there is something positive to think about. After all, the real purpose of the day is not just to eat delicious food, but to give thanks for all the blessings that are in our life. I hope it is true that I do not need mashed potatoes and gravy to be thankful. I can do that with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Wonder Bread. I can think of each absent family member, and be grateful for what they represent in my life today and throughout the year. I can be grateful for the country in which I live, and the freedoms that are mine to enjoy.
But mostly I plan on being grateful that I can be alone and not feel diminished. This quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is my inspiration for a small, but meaningful Thanksgiving Day. “… if a man would be alone, let him look at the stars.” I plan on looking at, and being grateful for, all the stars in the heavens of my life.