Thanksgiving 2016

For years the approaching of these holidays has caused me to reflect, and each year gets a little more reflective, if you know what I mean.  While sitting at the kitchen bar, as I often do, I think of the memories I have from a childhood growing up simply in the Midwest.  We didn't have much, and quite frankly we didn't need much.  All I wanted as a kid was someone to play tag or hide and seek with and to be out of school for a period of time longer than a weekend.  Life was not busy then.  There was no face book, no cell phones ( we had what they called party lines) for sure no computers, and no one was protesting the presidential election.  Oh sure there was unrest because of Viet Nam, but largely the protests were peaceful and done via "sit-ins" for the "make love not war" generation of which I am one.

I also remember family gatherings where the "elders" would sit and talk over coffee after the meal and discuss politics and religion...something we kids knew little about, so we played games and such.  I do, however, recall times when the aunts and uncles (our moms and dads) would differ in their opinions and voices would raise to an uncomfortable level, but always would subside with the understanding that all were entitled to their opinion.  When done they smiled, hugged, went their way and met the next year for more intriguing dialog.

I wasn't overtly paying attention then, but learned alot nonetheless.  I learned to respect the elders for what they went through and what they knew.  Learned that not everything was easy, good, or worth having, and learned that hard work is what got you what you wanted.  I also learned that I must not have done a good job of passing this on to the next generation, because look at us now.  We have become molded by things outside our families and are influenced by thoughts that appeal to, but are not achievable by many if any us.  Everything that is done comes with a cost.

I am thankful for ALL that I have been through because it made me what I am.  Not because I think it made me better than you, but because it made me the best I can be right at this moment.  I will keep learning to grow, accept, advance, teach, hurt, rejoice, and yes love all that is this mankind we find ourselves in the midst of today.