From chitchat with several friends
(my personal version of a Quinnipiac poll), I have come
to the conclusion that Thanksgiving is the most popular
holiday of the year.
Christmas still has its devotees, but there is so much
anxiety about gifts and such a long build up and anticipation
before the actual day arrives, that many are left with a
feeling of vague disappointment, if not utter exhaustion
and depression.
Despite the culinary work associated with Thanksgiving
(in most families, shared by several women members), it
is a time of relaxed family togetherness centered around
food, rather than presents.
It is also a holiday imbued with the true spirit of giving,
which is to give without the expectation of any return.
It is the time of year when we are moved to give to food
banks, donate warm clothes for the needy, and we sometimes
invite strangers or visitors from other countries to join
us for dinner.
History taught us that this was a day set aside by those
first Pilgrims to give thanks for their very survival, and
we are reminded, once again, how fortunate most of us are.
While our country, indeed the world, is faced with complex
and threatening problems, I am encouraged by the determination
and cooperation of many world leaders, and the recognition
of more and more people, that if we want a better world,
we have to take responsibility for helping to make it.
On a more personal note, here's my "thankful for"
list. First and foremost, I am so thankful for my husband,
Val, my two sons and daughter and many good friends.
I am grateful for rewarding work and the stimulating people
I meet as a result of that work. I am thankful for the spacious,
lovely living space I enjoy every day, and for the many
appliances that make life so comfortable. I am also thankful
for fresh air and clean water, and after visiting China,
know we must never take those for granted.
Lastly, I am so glad I am a woman and an American living
in such a historic and exciting time. I can hardly wait
to see what Thanksgiving 2028 will be like. Happy family
gatherings and happy turkey, everyone.
"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day
set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one
diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?"
- Erma Bombeck
Jean Cherni
is founder of Senior Living Solutions, a retirement advisory
service. Contact her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or
15 The Ponds, Branford 06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
can be found in color on the web at: www.hpearce.com. |
