Thoughts for Thanksgiving

I drove to work today for a change and enjoyed the view of the Lake, although at a faster pace than when I am biking.  It was a beautiful sight with the smoke rising from the plants in Indiana, their smokestacks hidden below the horizon; and the buildings of Hyde Park and the far South Shore silhouetted against a faintly yellow sky.  As I drove past Grant Park the yellow grew brighter as sunrise was almost an hour past by now.  The Lake was calm as only a gentle breeze from the northeast blew across the water’s surface - a quiet and serene scene just a few days before Thanksgiving.  Overcast to give a little foreboding and sadness to the picture, and the temps a little below normal to provide a few extra shivers to those walkers, runners, and bikers outside this morning.  What will life bring?

On my right was the “busy-ness” of the City.  Folks driving to work, pleased that the construction on Lakeshore Drive was completed, allowing the free flow of cars again, almost all with a solitary person inside.  Buses and taxis moved at their normal paces, lumbering and jitterbugging, respectively, moving folks from one place to another - not a calm scene at all.  What will life bring?

There is an old saying that “whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”, but also that “whatever” can also, and does for some people, just wear you down.  A friend who received this phrase from many when experiencing some huge bumps in the road several years ago, responded, after awhile, that he was already strong enough and didn’t need more adversity to become even stronger.  True, isn’t it?

Life is hard, and here comes Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for the many blessings that we have received.  And everyone does receive blessings – life itself, a chance to succeed.  There are always many others with whom we would not exchange troubles.  We need to be thankful, but we should also remember those for whom this holiday comes at a bad time – a loss of a job, spouse, child, parent; a loss of love, a debilitating illness; a separation, a conflict.  They are not in the frame of mind to be thankful now – they are hurt or sad or angry.  Please remember them – be kind and understand.

There are those who just need a touch, a smile, a small gesture to know that someone notices, let alone cares.  Be kind.  Be aware of others’ feelings.  In this “me-first” world, give a little consideration to those around you.  Check out their feelings – treat them with kindness.  Many folks are edge, or even on the edge – be aware of others, those you love.  Please be there for them – help to lift their spirits and have hope.

This is the beginning of the holiday season – joyous for many, but deeply sad and troubling for others.  The trouble can run deep inside, robbing the person of feeling and the ability to connect.  They may slide away, but please don’t let them.  Reach out.  Care.  In whatever way you can.  To those you know, or know of.  In this time with high unemployment that has persisted for several years people are desperate.  They do not know what life will bring.  They are in need. 

Please find a way to help tangibly – many churches and organizations try to serve these folks, but resources are scarce.  They need your help and donations.  Helping others is the best way to get a good feeling inside.  Look outside of yourselves – care, help, love.

What will life bring?

Take care.