Thanksgiving is a time of coming together. It’s a time when many people gather around the table to share a giant feast of a meal with those they love and care about.
Although yesterday, I was reminded that there are so many who felt alone.
My friend Paris, whose only relative in town was her mother, who died suddenly on her couch this summer, was feeling very alone. This was her first Thanksgiving alone. She was working and thankful for the interaction it brought.
Norma, my sister’s mother in law, shared about how divorcees can feel so isolated and alone this time of year. I saw evidence of that in a few of the evening Facebook posts I saw tucked amid the joy and celebration of families. There were so many who felt alone. College students, young professionals, the elderly . . . The list goes on and on of those who didn’t have the privilege of sitting around the table to enjoy a feast with friends and family.
So today, with a heart full of gratitude, I thought I’d offer you some wisdom from around our table as a small way of inviting you into sharing in some of the meaningful moments.
We spent a significant amount of time in intentional conversation this year. We read from The Thanksgiving Reader together. Then we each shared the best advice we’d ever been given, followed by what we were most grateful for. Here are a few of the highlights:
Begin with the end in mind.
Be proactive, take action.
Love God and love others more than yourself.
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.
God will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is set on Him.
Do the next right thing.
Above all, seek Wisdom.
Value family.
See it, feel it, trust it.
Set out in the direction you want to go. You don’t have to know every step from the beginning.
Life is short, be intentional. Life is long, be the last man standing.
Live well. Laugh often. Love much.
From our family straight to you, wisdom that has been learned through the fire and perserverance of lives and marriages lived with intention over time. I hope these words help you feel included and cared for today. I hope they resonate with a deep part of you and encourage you on your journey.
This day doesn’t seem so black when you focus on giving to others.
to more love,
Crystal
