Thanksgiving Day or Giving Thanks Day?

Thanksgiving Day or Giving Thanks Day? Which one is it for you? My answer – it all depends on how old you are. When I was a child, it was definitely Thanksgiving Day – turkey, parades, football, and family supper.

Thanksgiving Day Past

I remember we all gathered at Geepa and May May’s house which included my mom, dad, sister, mom’s two sisters and their husbands, seven cousins, and me. It was a houseful. And we always had our Norman Rockwell moment when May May brought the huge, perfectly-cooked turkey out on a platter from the kitchen. Oohs and aahs rang out from the dining room as May May placed the platter in front of Geepa who, after saying grace, commenced to carving the turkey.

In turn, we all piled our plates high with mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, cranberry gelatin, and biscuits all smothered in gravy. The turkey hidden somewhere underneath it all. The adults stayed in the dining room while the kid’s table was set up in the living room.

After supper, the men watched football games, the women began round one of the dishwashing, and us cousins went outside to climb trees, jump in piles of leaves, play tag, or throw balls around. Half time meant desserts of pumpkin pie or pecan pie a la mode. In the evening, if anyone was still hungry, it was time for turkey sandwiches before we all gathered up our belongings and made our way home.

We all lived in the same town or a neighboring one and we saw each other often. But there was something about Thanksgiving, even more than Christmas that was special to us all. Maybe it was the trees changing colors, the hope and joy of Christmas coming, or knowing that a new year was almost upon us, but those memories live on in my mind more than any other.

Things Changed

By the time I reached high school, Thanksgiving supper was different. It was just the four of us. My grandparents were both dead. My cousins moved away, married, or both. And my aunts and uncles moved to be closer to their children. Still, the menu was the same. We all watched football games and ate dessert at halftime. Even the late night turkey sandwiches were the same. But the atmosphere was different; quieter and subdued..

Then things changed the year I was a sophomore in high school. At least for me it changed. I was glancing through a magazine and a title hit me. It proclaimed, “Thanksgiving or Giving Thanks?” I read the article and the writer explained how after spending many holidays alone as a young man, he dissected and transposed the word “thanksgiving” into “giving thanks.” And that simple deed, changed his whole outlook on the holiday.

Instead of feeling sad and lonely, he thought about the people in his life he was thankful for. And that began his annual Thankful Letters. This simple act gave him a jubilance he hadn’t found anywhere else.

Giving Thanks Day

Inspired I sat down and wrote letters to my cousins telling them I missed them, how grateful I was that they were part of my family, and thanking them for all the times together. It took most of Thanksgiving and part of Friday to write those letters.

Over the years, I continued the annual event; making notes throughout the year on specific things I was grateful for from people. Time got away from me when the kids were born and letter writing was overlooked. But when Laurel began making her “Grateful for My Family” placemats, I once again started my Thankful Letters.

Now it’s more of a quick note or a short text message at any time of the year when someone does something nice for me. I don’t save my giving thanks to just once a year. I try to make every day a giving thanks day.

So when you sit down with your family and friends, whether it’s two or ten or more, take a few minutes to thank everyone who is around the table with you. The food may get a little cool but the hearts of those present will get a little warmer. And don’t forget to thank the Man Upstairs because without Him none of this would be possible.