Thanks-Skipping

I have a close friend who absolutely loathes the fact that everyone seems to skip right over the top of Thanksgiving. To be perfectly honest, it has always bothered me very little. Until I realized WHAT we as a society are skipping over.

When you think of Thanksgiving, what exactly do you think of? The first thing that comes to my mind is Thursday. A bit odd I'm sure, but it's true. This thought is followed closely by the colors of autumn leaves and images of a great feast. For many people football and Black Friday deals quickly drown out all thoughts of food and family. But how many people think about being thankful? Or take time to remember the original Thanksgiving feast between the Pilgrims and the Indians? Certainly not the department stores that have Christmas decorations and music up and playing November 1st.

There's certainly no crime in Christmas, football, or screaming deals. The problem is selfishness. Ever Googled "Black Friday deaths and injuries?" There is no shortage of stories. People are trampled, crushed, pepper sprayed, and on some occasions, even shot- just because someone else simply couldn't miss out on a good deal. All of this the day after Thanksgiving. Devastating.

This week I've been trying extra hard to focus on the things I'm thankful for, and less time focusing on other things. So here's a list of a few of the things I am most thankful for:

1- My Family. They have their weird little quirks, but what family doesn't? I love them more than anything in my life and don't know what I would do without all the love and support they offer me in everything I do.

2- My friends. I've heard it said that friends are the family you choose. The same can be said for these guys as for my blood relatives. They are great examples to me, and always take the time to lift me up when I'm feeling low.

3- The roof over my head. Having a home is something that I often take for granted. There are so many people in the world who don't have a warm place to sleep at night or a safe place to go when the weather gets rough. I may not live in a luxurious mansion, with hot tubs, heated sidewalks, and walk-in closets, but I have soft pillow to rest my heavy head on at night, and shelter from the harsh elements of mother nature, and that's good enough for me.

From the gift of my sight, to the warmth of my home, my "Gratitude List" could go on for days. I just don't always remember. So in all of the holiday excitement, the rush of sports and shopping, as well as the fantastic feasts, let's not forget what this time of year is really all about - giving thanks, rather than skipping it.