Tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday that is traditionally celebrated annually in the United States. The holiday is meant to be a time to pause from day-to-day work and leisure activities and give thanks for the blessings of life and family. The tradition calls for extended families and friends coming together, some traveling long distances, to celebrate the holiday over turkey dinner and other group activities.
We would like to share a few thoughts on the eve of Thanksgiving 2011.
This has been a rather challenging year in terms of tragedy across our global community. We all witnessed by the instantaneous power of media and the Internet, the powerful images of suffering and sheer devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami that occurred in northern Japan. I can still recall the video images of this horrific event. Families in Japan are still adjusting to the after effects, both personal and physical.
We should recall the severe floods that impacted Australia, the floods and tornadoes that struck the U.S.; the other devastating earthquakes that struck Turkey and other countries along with the other extraordinary occurrences of natural disaster that have impacted people and families. The latest reminder has been the monsoon related floods in Thailand that have taken over 600 lives and impacted countless of people.
The “Arab Spring and Autumn” have caused some to lose their lives because of the belief in freedom and human rights. Members of the military and public safety continue to risk their lives on a daily basis while their families always live in a state of anxiety.
The unemployed have found their lives suddenly changed with a stigma that is not of their doing, and others face hardship.
Sometimes we get too caught-up in our day-to-day lives and lose focus on how much we should be thankful.
We give thanks for our small blessings, family and friends. We remember those who experienced tragedy and trust that they will come to eventually give thanks.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our readers and extended community.
