A Suncoast Thanksgiving: Celebrating Gratitude, Family, and Kindness All Year Long

Thanksgiving is such a special holiday, steeped in traditions unique to every family.  For some, treasured china comes out of the cabinet, used by generations of the same family, signifying the passing of the torch from old to the young.  For others, traditions and rituals are created when you started your own family and wanted something different with your children.  Besides gathering with family and enjoying a meal, it is also the time of year where we thank our forefathers for establishing relationships with Native Americans and celebrating the culmination of a long journey, overcoming sickness, and hardship.  Despite all of this, these pilgrims were thankful for the abundance and hope God’s green earth provides even in the harshest of times.  It is also that time of year where signs of “Give Thanks” adorn our walls, our Facebook profiles and hopefully, our hearts.

One of my favorite pastimes that many share is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and enjoying the savory and sweet smells of dishes that would be enjoyed later with family.  And as a child, Thanksgiving meant the beginning of the Christmas holiday season with all of the great music, special gatherings and of course, the gifts.  It is so fun to see the diverse ways in which Thanksgiving is celebrated such as Friendsgiving, great family games, travel destinations or a nice turkey meal at home.  The amazing part of Thanksgiving is the “thanks” we all feel.  It is wonderful when this gratitude vibe is constantly churning in the background.  It begets a lot of understanding and kindness to those around us. 

Whether you find it in the church or in the gratefulness you feel for your life and the people in it, doing for others is a calling.  There are certain points in your life where material “giving” seems like the only way.  But as you age, you realize it is in the simplest of acts that cost nothing that make the most difference in the world.  In fact, the best acts of love are done quietly, without boasting, and the reward, if there is one needed, is simply feeling content that you have done your best.  Remember, a simple “hello,” or offering help or even an ear to listen can mean the world to someone.

As Thanksgiving nears, we hope you enjoy the fruits of gratitude, find the depths of your joy in the simplest of tasks, and are reminded in the smile of others that you matter.  During all of the hustle of preparing for Thanksgiving, don’t forget that your kindness is infinite, and gratitude during the holidays is something we are permitted to carry with us year-round.

Happy Thanksgiving from ours to yours!

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