We the people of these United States pause today to observe Thanksgiving, which in spite of its undisputed status as the first-celebrated American holiday has been reduced to road apple status - a mere speed bump on the hyperbolic consumer superhighway that connects Halloween and Christmas.
Maybe, just maybe, Thanksgiving's intrinsic value has experienced an uptick in the years since "Covid-19" entered the lexicon as we have been reminded (or in the case of far too many of our obtuse fellow countrymen, have finally learned) of the true fragility of Life's fabric. A thin line exists not simply between life and death and, also, between love and hate. It exists as well between community and isolation and, also, between hope and despair.
However, wherever, and with whomever you spend your Thanksgiving, if upon opening your eyes this morning and closing them tonight you are doing so in a place where you are wanted, then you are home. Your promise to yourself as well as to those you love and who love you is to never take that feeling for granted and, instead, to work every day to honor that feeling and to earn it.
That feeling of belonging is precious because of its capacity to fill us up more heartily than the inhalation of turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and pecan pie ever will. Unfortunately today, like yesterday and tomorrow, does not carry with it a guaranteed feeling of belonging - a guaranteed feeling of home. If you are a lucky one, then be mindful of the fact that not everyone is - including but not limited to people with whom you deal in your day-to-day, and act accordingly. It costs nothing to be kind. And by being so, you might just help someone who otherwise would not have, find their way home. Today, of all days, is that not where we all long to be?
Happy Thanksgiving.
-AK
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