Thankful Giving

Thanksgiving Feast

  I'm really pretty old fashioned when it comes to the Holiday season. Some traditions are hard to let go of. Especially the one that my Grandpa instilled in me many years ago, when I was a young child. The world seemed far less complicated than today's fast paced and hectic way of life, with the latest techno. gadgets pushed every which way, upon every consumer.  Anyway, every Thanksgiving our family would take turns vocalizing what we were thankful for before we partook of the delightful Thanksgiving spread. When you're young, you don't put much thought into these kind of traditions. You just do it to appease the Elders so you can get on with the over-indulgence of that beautiful carved turkey and all the trimmings that go with it. But with age, comes reason and clarity about those traditions you seemed to be oblivious about as a child.

As an adult I have realized that I'm pretty idealistic by nature, and find myself wishing everyone would pull their resources together to solve issues of world hunger and poverty. Of course, the logic kicks in and tells me it is such a vast and complex issue, that it couldn't possibly play out the way I envision it . However, that doesn't stop me from knowing that as an individual I CAN help make a dent to ease the suffering of those much less fortunate than me. I have learned that when you are in a state of being thankful, you want to give of yourself so that others may experience the same state of gratitude. And that, my friends is thankful giving.

No gesture of the heart is too small. Someone, somewhere will carry a little less of a burden when you give of yourself. Whether it is helping out at the local food drive, putting a few coins in the red kettle, donating a turkey, or inviting the less fortunate to sit down at the table and break bread with you, all these things add up and make the world a better place. Good thoughts, good deeds, it's really that simple.

Although many of our family members will not be at our table to enjoy the bounties this Thanksgiving, I am thankful they are starting their own traditions of giving thanks with their significant others and loved ones. And I hope I passed on this realization to my sons: That the simple act of being thankful ripples out to their family, their community, and yes, eventually the world. There's my idealism peeking through again. 

Our family

Now it is time to get back to work creating and giving, both in the kitchen and the studio. The latest glass creation of  fused and feathered fowl are grateful they are "beauty to the eye of the beholder", and not part of the Thanksgiving feast.  Creating art that is uplifting to others and appreciated, is also an act of giving, both to the artist and the recipient of the artwork.  I am thankful to have the clarity that it is better to give than to receive. Happy Thanksgiving, and I hope you learn to live simply and enjoy what you have, while giving when you can. Life is better when you realize this, I know it is for the two of us.

Happy and thankful Rooster and Hen