From my perspective,

It’s not about the turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, Grandma’s house or anything like that.  This time of year might be known for packing the family in the car and rustling some leaves on your way over the hill and through the woods…but why is there an electricity in the car?

Why does it feel different than the daily commute, a trip to the grocery store or dropping off kids at band camp?

•Is the driver in a better mood?

•Does the anticipated food taste that much better than what you get at Applebee’s?

•Is it cool enough outside that you have to be on your best behavior in the house so you practice in the car on the way there?

For those who don’t remember where you celebrated last year – let alone why we gather in the first place-here’s a bit of history…

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists celebrated the gifts and blessings of the past year with the Wampanoag Indians and started a tradition we continue today.  They were grateful for what they harvested and that they coexisted with a different culture.  They created something worth replicating.

•We are all extremely blessed and should remember that, daily.

•We live in a country of abundance.

•Opportunity is so prevalent that people risk their lives daily to join in our prosperity.

I have been blessed this year to hear two presidential historians speak on the topics of leadership and chaos in Washington.  Earlier this year I heard Karl Rove speak in Dallas about multiple historical antics demonstrating our current administration did not invent drama in the White House.  More recently I heard Jon Meacham talk about US Presidents and what he believed made us the greatest country on earth.

•A sense of hope … as Franklin D Roosevelt described “We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.”

Combined with

•A sense of humor.  The ability to make fun of ourselves, to laugh and to enjoy time together despite our differences.

Please enjoy your time together, next week especially, but all times and all opportunities.  Live, love, laugh and be forever thankful.