Thanksgiving - A day to express gratitude

by Simie Seaman

Thanksgiving is upon us. I have to say, fall is one of my most favorite times of the year – first there is Halloween, then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas. The decorations, the music, the food, the holiday spirit – I love it. But I feel Thanksgiving has gone by the wayside because Christmas has a lot more appeal. We get so excited for Christmas that Thanksgiving receives far less attention. Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday.

This special holiday was meant to give thanks. It’s a time for us to recognize all we are thankful for, our country, our life and a time to enjoy the company of your loved ones. The true beauty in Thanksgiving is dedicating one day of the year to putting our own wants, desires, and troubles aside and focusing on the more important matters in our lives and our thankfulness toward God. But for to many people, its meaning is lost. In this day and age, we cannot afford to let this tradition slip away.

However, traditions are special moments that are passed down from generations to generations to come. Traditions create a bridge between the young and old-between the past and the present. They are the special times in our lives and our families that will always be remembered. So make the most of them. The most popular Thanksgiving tradition is preparing your Thanksgiving dinner. But this year, our celebrations are likely to be far different from those in the past. Because of COVID-19, most of us won’t be able to gather with those we love for this special meal; so we’ll prepare a scaled-down meal.

Be grateful for what we have and appreciate the people you have around you. Make it special. The pressure is not going to be cooking for 10 to 20 guests, so you can make it more elegant. We can still make Thanksgiving memorable- even extra special- by serving a unique and tasty meal for those in our home, even if it’s just for two. With 2020 being such a tough year on so many different levels, those you are sharing the meal with will remember it just as much as in the other years when there were big celebrations. But to make this meal extra special, don’t stop at the food you serve. It’s also important to set a beautiful table and provide atmosphere. Keep it simple but elegant with good china, candles and music. After completing your Thanksgiving table, look around and set the scene by incorporating seasonal lighting, photos of family and friends, and other décor around the room to complete the look of your dining room.

This holiday is a favorite of mine, not only for the surroundings of good company and delicious food, but also because I LOVE decorating for this special day! When the holiday arrives, don’t forget what Thanksgiving is all about. Being thankful is an important part of being happy and sharing this joy with others will only elevate your holiday. There is no greater blessing that good health, and recognizing your good fortune with family and friends.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING