Thanksgiving Traditions

It’s hard to believe we are already into October and less than 2 months until we gather around the table with family to enjoy the time together and give thanks for all we have. For many this time can bring pain and sorrow as they think of those who were lost since the last celebration and for others it is a time of joy and thankfulness.

Thanksgiving has a way of doing that to all of us, doesn’t it? It can force us to go to either extreme, but it doesn’t have to this Thanksgiving as we reflect on the traditions. For some of us those traditions are a time to reflect and think of those that were passed on or those that we created ourselves. Traditions can be new or old. Check out some of these Holiday Traditions and we couldn’t agree more.

There is something about Thanksgiving traditions that really can bring a smile to your face or a twinkle to the eye. No real gifts to open, no real stories to read, and not even any real movies to watch, although there are a few. Thanksgiving is about more than all of that, as our thoughts go to just spending time with family and being thankful for all we have. Thankful to live in the greatest country in the world – the United States of America. Thankful for our health and thankful for the past year and all that has taken place. That doesn’t mean we forget about the difficult, or the hard of the past year, but we do reflect on all that we have been given.

You see, traditions have a way of reminding us of what is really important. Almost like bringing us back to the time with grandparents. The smells of the kitchen and the memories of the great outdoors allow us to stop, pause and reflect. So this Thanksgiving should be no different. A time to think about all that we have been given and the many fortunate times we have gotten to share. It’s a great reminder that each day is a gift from God, and no day is guaranteed.

What memories look like…

What types of memories are most common. We think this list does a good job of summarizing some of the top memories of Thanksgiving. But more than all of this, it is important to make your own. For some it may be the first time married and setting out on a journey together. For others it may be a new home that is going to be a place for memories to be made after a big move. Others may be welcoming a new addition to the family and that brings new excitement and unexpected days ahead. Either way and for whatever reason the traditions of time together is so important.

Here are some of the top benefits of spending time with family.

Family time is important not only for health, but also ensures time away from work and time to recharge our batteries. There is something about being with family that is different than just friends as you can really be yourself, “let down your hair” so to speak and just be you. There is something refreshing about family that knows you, family that understands you and family that will always be there for you through the good times and the bad times. Family time is important.

Sometimes Thanksgiving can bring back some memories of lost and those we had hoped would look different, but instead the time to share in the memories get lost as our thoughts are elsewhere. Time can quickly drift away, can quickly disappear and in a moment the little one isn’t so little, the older was is now gone and the memories are the only thing we can truly hold onto. Times like these are important to reflect, pause and take stock of those with whom are most important. They say you should always say “I love you” to those that you truly love. Traditions have a way of stopping us in our tracks and gripping us with a love like none other.

What are you waiting for?

You may say, come on now, I have time. It can all wait. But really, can it and will it. Time isn’t stopping and time is not standing still. It continues to click away and the days are getting shorter, the nights are no more. The little one is no longer so small and the wedding song has ended. So pause and take the time this year to enjoy that tradition or make a new one. You can’t go back in the past, BUT you can prepare for the future. Make some new traditions today, we are sure you will thank us. And if not for us, at least for someone else who is watching you. Someone who will maybe not on this side of eternity, but on the next thank-you for not giving up and creating that new tradition. A family is watching, a family is waiting and family is wondering. Will it start this year, and will it begin with you. We sure hope so!

So this Thanksgiving as you prepare for it, will it look any different? Will the promise, you as a husband of spending more time with your family really happen or just another empty promise with no real action. Will that runaway return home and spend time with those that “truly” love them. Will that grandparent that has been disconnected for their own reasons reunite back and spend time around the dinner table. We sure hope so this Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving can look much different with some intentionality, some purpose and some family traditions, we hope this will be the best one yet. Just remember to take a deep breath, realize it doesn’t all have to be perfect and let the good times role.

The days aren’t getting longer the time is now – you have got this. Continue as you were, but this time be different!

Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving this time of year.