The turkey is brining, the yams are getting sweet and the cream of mushroom soup is elevating itself with green beans.

I think we can all agree that a Thanksgiving Meal is a production.  The supporting cast of side dishes do their best to compliment the star of the show…the turkey (who, by the way, is just another deli meat without them).

The real significance of this day, though, is to gather with loved ones and give Thanks for what we all have. After all, it is not called “Whatever Day”.

I do not cook to this magnitude often, but I give thanks daily.

When I go to bed at night, I have replaced “Now I lay me down to sleep…” (I never liked that “If I should die before I wake…” part) with a prayer of gratitude. I ask myself the question, “What if I woke up to only what I thanked God for the night before?”

I don’t thank Him for bad knees, I thank Him that I can walk. I don’t thank Him for bills, I thank Him that we can pay them. I don’t thank Him for the problems that my loved ones’ face, I thank him for the opportunity to face them together, and with His grace, prevail. I think you get the idea.

I admit, I use generalities. Instead of listing each piece of furniture…it’s just “my home”. And I don’t name all the bearers of love bars by name…but you’re all there.

On this Thursday I wish for you a special day filled with food, family, love and laughter.

And going forward let’s all make sure that Thanks and Giving are part of every day.

God bless us all.