by Jody Thorpe

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 22, 2009

Thanksgiving in our family is a traditional day to be sure. While turkey and football are a part of this holiday for us, we also encompass what I like to call gratitude exercises. Since this holiday is held at my home, I get to make sure that everyone remembers to be thankful and what they should be thankful for. When dinner is about to be served I make everyone stand around the table and take turns telling me something they are thankful for and why. I am conscious of the fact that before we rush into our well anticipated meal we take a moment to remember why we are together on this day. It is a wonderful tradition that even the children love to be a part of.Also, it is a practical example of the adults in the family showing the younger generation that we practice the lessons that we teach them. I feel this is important for everyone to do because while we listen to others we get a chance to reflect on what is truly important in life.

It also gives people a chance to be reminded of things that maybe they didn't think of themselves and now are grateful for more than they themselves thought of. It puts us all in the mood for a beautiful meal and nurtures that family spirit. Our world today is full of people struggling to make ends meet and so we are grateful for each thing, big and small. We appreciate that everyone arrives safe and sound since we live in the north and that means the drive is made in the snow and the ice.

We are grateful that out of town family members get to join us and appreciate that 'home' means Minnesota and sitting around the dinner table enjoying a Thanksgiving meal. It is a day highly anticipated not only for the food, but for the camaraderie of family and friends. We also try to 'pay it forward' whenever possible. We like to include people that we meet that may not have a family to share it with or anywhere to go. It is always nice to include others in your family atmosphere and help them to enjoy this holiday for what it truly stands for. Thanksgiving is what you make it and while some of the common features of this holiday are present in our day not all of them have to be. A holiday is made up of traditions but allow it to be traditions that matter to you and that represent who you are as a family. So many of us spend our time doing what we think we should and not what we want. Allow your holidays to be what you truly want them to be and to matter somehow some way.

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