By Craig MacDonald

Thanksgiving means different things to different people.

• To the dinner host, it means serving the tastiest turkey on the Planet!
• To a small child, it might mean a chance to eat turkey and talk with grandpa.
• To a young adult, it’s a day to be glad if you have a roof over your head and a meal on the table.
• To newlyweds, it’s a day of togetherness and time to recall the joys of a young marriage.
• To many parents, it may be a day of work–cooking a turkey and getting ready for a visit from relatives.
• To grandparents, it’s a day to be with their sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters.

Thanksgiving is a day of reflection–a day of memories. Thanksgiving is a chance to close your eyes and think of all the people who have helped you:

• the postal carrier, who may brighten your day by bringing a letter from a loved one
• the boss who tolerated you during your dull spells
• the neighbor, who unselfishly returns your lost dog
• your best friend, who gives you positive enthusiasm, while you look for work after being layed off
• your health care provider, whose smile makes you feel a tad bit better
• the trash person, who takes away your garbage
• to your spouse who encourages you even though you have doubts.

Yes, Thanksgiving is a time to have an “attitude of gratitude,” to be grateful for whatever you have, with the realization that you’re lucky to have it. No matter what condition you’re in, there will always be people less fortunate than you.

If you haven’t already, Thanksgiving is a great time to begin “lighting a candle in the darkness,” to do whatever you can –in whatever way you can– to make a difference. By helping others, you’ll probably help yourself. And the World will be a better place because of it.

And last, but far from least, Thanksgiving is a time to be Thankful that you are able to live in the United States of America, a country that gives you so many freedoms, which are taken for granted; a country that has enabled you to get where you are today; a country that gives you opportunities for tomorrow.

Thanks for taking time out of your busy lives to read this.

Craig MacDonald, who has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize, is a professional Historian, Author & Speaker. He is the author of a book, Old West Christmas, Tales with a Twist. (goldrushglimpses.com)