Don’t say you can’t think of anything to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.
It’s likely we’ll be celebrating today in a warm house filled with friends and family. We’ll be chatting fast and furiously on phones, perhaps sending photos or texts to missed loved ones far away.
The TV will be blaring the parade or football game. Bored cousins may have turned to a video game. And, of course, there’ll be those wonderful smells of the feast cooking to perfection.
Then . . . think back to just three weeks ago when many of us experienced living in the dark for days. Some had the privilege of searching for gasoline to run generators to ease the discomfort. Others waited in a car until a warming center opened up. It was difficult even to drive around the neighborhood. We craved electricity; our normal lifestyle of work or school suddenly seemed so desirable.
And then remember there are thousands of people, not very far away this year, still living in uncertainty, unable to return or stay in their homes. For some, Thanksgiving carries a cruel, hollow message.
The recent “superstorm” reminded us just how fortunate most of us are this holiday. In showing us once more of the occasional power of nature and remembering the struggle to recover from its damage, we should more appreciate the comfort of our home and our lifestyle.
A check to the Red Cross would be an appropriate holiday act. So would setting aside some food for the local public pantry. A hug of a friend or family member who came a distance would be the least you could do.
Some families go around the table on Thanksgiving and ask everyone what they are thankful for this year. No one should beg off and say, “I can’t think of anything.”
You don’t have to think back — or look around – very far.

