Thanksgiving is more than a day in November. School children are taught to remember that first Thanksgiving where prayers were offered just for being alive and for the strength that had been given to endure and survive. Lest we forget our forefathers came to establish a country under God’s name. Times have changed and yet they remain the same. We are in fact all still pilgrims subject to God’s guidance and it will show us the way to purposeful living.
We have many things to be deeply thankful for: big things, small things that we accept in many ways and often without thought where these gifts came from.
God doesn't always give us the things we wish for. Thank God He knows best. Sometimes things that seem like tragedy are really a blessing in disguise. It is all in how you look at it or use it.
I received some good words over the Internet from "Kelly," who has experienced the ups and downs of life and not only survived but became stronger.
Her thoughts:
"Thank you Lord.
There is a roof over me.
I have a good place to sleep.
There is food on the table and shoes on my feet.
You gave me your love Lord and a fine family.
I thank you Lord for all your blessings to me."
There are times one can feel so overwhelmed by the problems that surround us it is hard to face a new day. Anxiety and depression can only make those problems worse. It is hard. Not always a cure, but that is when it is time to think about the positive things we have in our lives that can help us cope with the negative.
Thanksgiving. It is "THANKS GIVING". We have so much to be thankful for - lest we forget.
Too often we get so involved with the foolish frolicking of Halloween and the frantic celebration of Christmas we forget to remember Thanksgiving’s real purpose. The first Thanksgiving Days were harvest festivals, or days for thanking God for plentiful crops.
It was also created as a time to say thank you for all the good things in life that cost nothing and provide everything.
In a frenzy of busyness and technology and quickly changing times that challenge us every day, we need to take time to appreciate the positive or good things we have been given. Thank you is such a meaningful statement. It is so easy to say and mean it.
My mother has a saying on her wall, "That if the only prayer you ever say is ‘Thank you’ - that is enough.” That really says it all!
Yes, thank you God, but thank yous go beyond that to the people you know and appreciate but don't always voice that feeling of appreciation that can make a day or even change a life. Putting it into words is all that is necessary.
A thank you, spoken verbally, or a note of appreciation and admiration, are all inspiring ideas that make our lives so much richer.
Enrich Thanksgiving Day beyond the food and friendship and family gatherings and take time to tell someone how much they mean in your life.
Keep a journal. Or just make a list of all the good things that have happened in your life and say, "Thank you," even if it is just in thought.
Thanksgiving Day, usually a family day, is celebrated with big dinners and joyous reunions. We are so fortunate in our family that the Saturday after Thanksgiving my cousin, Jim, and his wife, Maryalice, provide an informal family reunion of sorts to commemorate Thanksgiving Day and reminisce and catch up on what has been happening in the family. It is a reminder of all the family holidays my grandparents celebrated through the years. It is fantastic! Cherish those memories and family moments.
Though there are those who may overfeast, we should be mindful of those whose feast is small or not at all. We are thankful there are those who are planning a "Victory Dinner" and other dinners like the Salvation Army for those who don't have family and friends to share the day with.
One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of house you lived in, how much money you had, nor what your clothes were like, but the world may be a little better, because you were important in the life of another.
Just think of all the nicest things the day could bring your way. That's exactly what you are wished — with love.
Embrace the day and make your life richer. Appreciation can make a day, even change a life!
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us.
If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
Birthdays and anniversaries:
• Thursday, November 28th: Quinn Lauren Wayne, Vicki Peterson, Jackie & Scott Miller
• Friday, November 29th: Connie Smith, Dean Peterson, Emily Butler, La Vonna Ruhl, Christy & Tim Berry, Pastor Carrie & Dan McElfresh
• Saturday, November 30th: Dan Mrotz, Lindsey Hagen, Lindsey Schlaak, Sophia Jepson, Eric Knudson, Norell Wood, Kellen Utpadel, David & Lizell Swearingen, Andy & Emily Butler
• Sunday, December 1st: Ethan Elliot Marzoff, Kyle Anthony Neidermeier, Jim Cornelius, Brian Waage, Laurie Ellis, Teri Horan Finke, Barbara Wangsness
• Monday, December 2nd: Maryalice Hanson, Liam William Philip Abbott, Allura Danon Johnson, Leah Wayne, Allura Danon Johnson, Paige Sorenson, Lyle Paulson, Jean Richards Worrell, Helen Sawyer, Heidi Wangsness, Heather Peterson, Dale Schewe
• Tuesday, December 3rd: Eric Degan, Ethan Fletcher Cornelius, Brian Van Ravenhorst
• Wednesday, December 4th: Sue Mattson, Jessica Shultz, Sandy Larson Russo, Sue Brown Asplund, Shawn Vangen Steffen, Jeff Kasper, Skylar Larson, Holly Pichner, Max Jensen, Casey & Jon Homuth
• Thursday, December 5th: Finnegan Fladger, Bodie Jaxon Newgard, Phyllis Hanson, Rick Aaseth, Rosalyn Johnson, Kathy Lee, Christian Conroy, Shannon Jensen, Kelsey Loverink, Ron Farner, Larry & Mary Richards
• Friday, December 6th: Sharon Johnson, Rodger Hill, Katie Marlin, Tony Jackovitch, John Lerum, John Kaplan, Sue Klemmensen, Chris & Marie Wallace, Emily & Jeffrey O'Brien
• Saturday, December 7th: Katie Olson, Tracy Holland, Sam Peterson, Angela Hensrud, Wanda Schwartz, Helen Schmidt, Kara & Eric Grant, Ron & Theresa Langlie, Dawn & Eric Degan
May you find joy and pleasure all around you on your special day.
