An ode to Thanksgiving, a most peaceful and relaxing holiday, not just a stop between Halloween and Christmas

What are you thankful for this year?

Not just on Thursday, when we celebrate Thanksgiving. What are you appreciative of today?

Your family? Have you been loved and cherished and supported by your parents, your siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and other relatives? Have they been there for you at happy moments, like when you graduated from school, won an award, gotten married or enjoyed a party?

Were they at your side when someone you all loved died? Did they come to your assistance when you were sick, broke or in need of a ride?

Or did they just tell you they cared about you, were proud of you, loved you?

Be thankful for them.

How about your friends? Do you recall the times you laughed so hard it hurt? How about when you felt down in the dumps and they came to spend time with you, or called to check in? Remember all the days you spent together in school, at work, or out having fun?

Be thankful for them.

Who has offered you help, guidance or encouragement along the way? What neighbors, teachers, co-workers, bosses and others gave you boosts in your life and career? Who played a role in getting you to the place you are at today? No one does it alone.

Thank those who offered you a hand along the way.

How’s your health? Are you feeling pretty good right now? That’s certainly worth noting. Not on top of the world? Let’s hope you are receiving quality care from experienced professionals who are dedicated to helping you recover or at least survive.

Be thankful for that.

Got a job? A warm, safe home? Food in the fridge and at least a few dollars in your wallet? Millions of people across the planet don’t have any of those.

So, be thankful for all of those things, too.

What members of your community are contributing to your life? What public servants, business owners and employees and local residents have made this beautiful, peaceful region such a marvelous place to live?

They deserve thanks, too.

Are you appreciating the glories of this world? Every day, a different masterpiece is painted on our skies. The grass, trees, fields and plants offer a paintbox filled with beauty. Animals, from our pets to livestock who mean so much to our economy and lifestyles, to the birds that provide music in our world and the wild creatures who offer mystery and excitement, are among the greatest gifts we have ever received.

Not every moment is pleasant. There are tough days and rough patches. They are all part of the road we walk.

Give thanks to the lessons you learned as you made it through those difficult times. They have a value, too.

On holidays, we look forward to happy times with the people we love. Look back on those memories now. Hold them close.

And be thankful you have them in your memory and heart.

Lastly, be thankful for this second, this minute, this hour and this day. You are here, and that means so much. There are many opportunities ahead, no matter your age or condition. You might not run as fast or work as hard as you could, and you might not be able to do all you once did, but if you look around and consider the options presented to you, it’s apparent there is much to be thankful for right now.

So, give thanks. Enjoy the moment and the day, and be grateful for the people in your life, because Thanksgiving deserves more respect.

All too often, it’s the holiday between Halloween, which has turned into a two-month celebration of orange and black, candy and treats, ghost stories and parties, and the deluge of Christmas, which now lasts for most of the fall and early winter. Did it start in August this year?

Meanwhile, Thanksgiving is over and out in a day. Cook the turkey, sit down with the family for an hour or less, watch some football and it’s on to Black Friday! Let’s do some Christmas shopping!

But that doesn’t have to be the case. We can honor the history and true significance of this autumnal gathering in a respectful manner. We can actually dedicate some time to giving thanks to the people who we love and cherish, and to the things that really matter.

Thanksgiving is the most peaceful holiday of the year.

No gift-shopping required. No costumes. No late-night fractious parties. Thanksgiving is all about enjoying an easy, relaxing day. Family. Friends. Food. Football.

So, don’t rush through Thursday. Spend as much time as possible with your family and friends, and really talk with each other. Ask them what they are grateful for this year.

Share old stories that elicit smiles and laughter. Talk about something other than politics or business or sports. Remember the real reason we are coming together on this date.

Thanksgiving deserves that — and so do you.

Fourth-generation South Dakotan Tom Lawrence has written for several newspapers and websites in South Dakota and other states for four decades. He has contributed to The New York Times, NPR, The London Telegraph, The Daily Beast and other media outlets. Do not republish without permission.

Photo: public domain, wikimedia commons