Think of Del

Thanksgiving might have a 'new normal' feel for many Americans this year. Here, in the year of COVID-19, our ability to move around has been constricted, which might mean that this year - now at Thanksgiving and next month for Hanukkah or Christmas - we might not be able to be with all those we love and all those who love us most of all.  

Breathe deep.  

The feeling that has invaded the space many of us occupy this year, for what we sincerely hope is the first and only time in our lives, is a feeling that far too many people deal with every day, whether it is a day designated as a national holiday or simply an otherwise ordinary Thursday.  

We the people of these United States have fallen into the bad habit of rushing to judgment with those who do not look like us, talk like us, have the same political opinions as us, etc.  I mean not to sound like Pollyanna.  It is a bad habit we have always had.  These days, in the age of instant access to information everywhere, communication's ease has acted as an accelerant. We need to be careful so that we do not burn to the ground the very place we call home.  

For today, at least, think of everyone you might encounter in your day-to-day as Del Griffith. A person whose depth is substantially greater than his breadth, his girth, or his ability to irritate you...just by being himself. 

Just today, breathe deep.  Breathe deep and think of Del Griffith.  

Happy Thanksgiving.

-AK