Happy Hanukkah!

Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah!

Happy Thanksgiving

 Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks. Giving.

“We have ANOTHER HOLIDAY to worry about.  It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us” laments Charlie Brown, in the annual classic, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving - first seen on CBS television in 1973 and aired in prime-time every year since.  Once we hit Halloween, it seems, we are barraged with holidays and their respective celebrations, festivities, gatherings and fun all the way through January.  In my family it’s actually all the way through the end of April.  It’s the “gift giving” season – between Christmas in December and four birthdays and an anniversary in January, February, March and April.  Whew.  But of all of the various holidays and celebrations, one of my favorites, and honestly one of the most-often overlooked is Thanksgiving.  It just kind of is there, at the end of November, very much overlooked by the traditional start of the Christmas season. Especially considering here in the U.S. “Black Friday” is the very next day, though in the past few years those sales have been creeping further and further over onto Thursday – and continuing to overshadow Thanksgiving. 

As a holiday, it lacks the hype and build-up that both Halloween and Christmas have, and certainly doesn't spark a lot of extra-celebrating as the other 2 do either - no costume parties, or staff parties, or caroling through the neighborhood.  In stores it's truly overlooked, except perhaps in the grocery store where all of the feast supplies will be found.  There may be a few decorator items to be found (and I do mean few), but they're most often relegated to the worst shelf space way behind the more prominently displayed Halloween fare, and often behind the soon-to-be prominently displayed Christmas fare. Very few people send out Thanksgiving cards, and no one puts up Thanksgiving lights on the exterior of their homes.  In fact, many people bypass it altogether by not just putting up their Christmas lights - but turning them ON each night days or weeks before Christmas.  In my neighborhood, there are already more than a dozen homes who have been turning on their outside Christmas lights for the past week or more.  And a couple already have their lit and decorated Christmas trees in their front room window for all to see.  So much for giving Thanksgiving a little bit of prominence, huh? Personally I do install my outside lights, simply because I like to avoid freezing my butt off in the cold whenever possible.  I'd much rather get them up and in place when the temps are still decent, so I like to grab a nice weekend in late October or early November whenever possible...but I never turn them on until after Thanksgiving. I don't want to give Thanksgiving the shaft by heading straight to Christmas.  That's almost as bad in my opinion as just lumping both of your children's birthdays together in one single birthday party.  That might be acceptable if you have twins, but if not, they each deserve their own celebration...even if they were born in the same month, and might have birthdays close together.  They're different people with different friends.  Just as Thanksgiving and Christmas are different holidays celebrating different things.  Don't lump them together.  That's just sad. 

But I do like Thanksgiving.  Sure it is filled with wonderful foods; and since our celebration of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. is always on Thursday, it can generate 2 or even 3 days off from school or work depending on a person’s age and situation in life; and it’s generally a time to spend together with family or friends.  But it’s really so much more than just those things.  Thanksgiving.  Have you ever really stopped to consider it between bites or turkey, mashed potatoes and rolls (or popcorn, buttered toast and jelly beans as Charlie Brown served up on his ping-pong table in the backyard?) 

This year, like last year, my mother and her husband are here with us to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It’s a great time for them to reconnect with the grandchildren, and for us to be able to enjoy with them.  We have always recognized the brevity of life, but after last year’s death of my wife’s father in the fall, the first of any of our parents to leave us, we better understand the importance and opportunity of being able to spend time together.  Throughout our nearly 19 year marriage we have always tried hard to be sure to spend time together with extended family when possible, but living 2400 miles for more than a dozen years of those years has not really made it all that easy to do.  We can’t simply go across town to see them, or call them up and ask them to come over and babysit.  Every gathering is intentional and purposed.  We give thanks that we still have them in our lives, and that they are still able to travel.  We know that one day they won’t be around, or simply won’t be able to travel.   We’re relishing the time that we have. 

Thanks.  Giving.  Two very different words combined together create the name of the holiday.  Here in America Thanksgiving traditionally has its’ roots with the Pilgrims and a feast celebration from 1621 – but there have been days and feasts of Thanksgiving before that.  Even sacrifices and offerings as far back as the Israelites of the Torah section of  Old Testament in the Bible.   Thanksgiving has been set aside to recognize and celebrate with great joy the bountiful harvest, and celebrating all that God has given or provided.  So by name alone it speaks of gratitude for what WE HAVE.  But when further examined, it also is a great opportunity for GIVING.

 

For the past 8 years, our church has partnered with another ministry in town providing meals for the community – shut-ins, and others in need, specifically on Thanksgiving Day.  Through meals delivered to people’s homes and meals served on-site in the church’s gym, each year nearly 2,000 hot meals are provided free of charge.   In addition they offer a phenomenal Food Pantry, serving more than 200 families each week.  We have used both the Thanksgiving Meal and the Food Pantry as wonderful ways to teach our children the importance of GIVING.  Each year on Thanksgiving morning we get up and head over to the church to pick-up our maps for delivery, and then the corresponding meals that we will be taking.  Many wonderful interactions with people have taken place through the years.  Some older and not able to get out on their own anymore, others simply in need of some help due to bad situations they’ve found themselves in. 

Because of the serving others concept that my wife and I intentionally added in to our Thanksgiving celebration all those years back, for us Thanksgiving has become so much more than merely a parade on tv, food comas and sports in the afternoon.  It’s a time where we can and do give thanks for our own blessings, but also a time to celebrate and give thanks for the lives that we are able to touch by giving to them.  For all the media loves to hype the “door buster” savings to be found in stores – the true blessings aren’t found in any store, but rather, in the people you surround yourself with in life.  Whether they are family, friends or someone you meet in serving others. 

 

Whatever you do this Thanksgiving week, whether you celebrate together with family or friends, or by yourself, I wish you a wonderful time and hope you’ll find some way to give this year.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next time,

Tips on Thursday - Holiday Travel with Children

Holiday Travel with Children

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go. During this time of year, we plan and prepare our family visits, dinner meals and gift-giving and forget one of the most important things- preparing for holiday travel with children. Whether you are driving or flying to your final holiday destinations, be prepared with these helpful tips so that you and your precious cargo arrive safely and happily.

Plan, plan and plan. It’s never too early to prepare yourself. Make sure everyone knows the holiday schedule. Get things prepared ahead of time at your final destination.  Get Aunts and Uncles to purchase baby needs like diapers, milk and baby essentials. Download or rent their favorite movies and music. Pack the ever so loved stuff animal and blankets.

Driving? Get directions ahead of time. Cars these days are loaded with a GPS system. If yours does not have one, get one. Check weather and road conditions for any delays or closed roads. Pack the car with plenty of mobile toys, movies, snacks and drinks. Plot put rest stops.

Flying? The best time to fly with the little ones is in the morning or around their nap time. Shoot for direct flights if possible. If you can, grab a bulk seat for the extra leg room or upgrade your seat to one. This is important if you plan on a carseat in flight. Otherwise, prepare your little tike to kick the seat in front or the seat in front on your child when they lean back.

Packing. It never fails. You always end up forgetting something that because a major importance in your child’s happy stay at grandma’s house. Creating a list an organizing is key. Decide on how many suitcases to pack especially now being that there is a hefty charge for checked bags. Assign bags accordingly. Pack in advance. Always pack a carry-on bag filled with must items just in case your luggage is lost or delayed.

Entertainment. “Are we there yet?” is a common questions by everyone- old or young. Pack the cars with toys, books and movies. Play games with passerby cars and towns. In flight, tablets, iPods and portable DVD’s should be loaded with all their favorites.  And always, hide emergency toys and games for when they really get bored with what’s already available.

No matter what, traveling is taxing on everyone no matter what their age is. During your trip, talk to your little ones about what they are going to experience. Who they are going to see. And what they are going to do once they arrive. Sometimes, with a little conversation, it will continue the holiday spirit in them and soon enough you’ll be at your final destination with a very happy, and excited child. Plus, as parents, you’ll be excited to see them so happy.  

Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Season’s Greetings… Happy Holidays to all. 

Sunday Spotlight - Military Appreciation Discounts

Happy Veterans’ Day!  

Did you know that as a member of the military, that you are often eligible for special discounts or shipboard credits with the various cruise lines?  It’s true.  Many lines salute our heroes by providing these discounts to active and retired members of the U.S. military.  In some cases, active, reserve, and retired members of the U.S. military and the Canadian Forces may be eligible.  Veterans may also be eligible, with some cruise lines offering special discounts to veterans with an honorable discharge who have served in an active war zone for any length of time or outside a war zone for at least two years. Spouses of actively deployed or deceased military personnel may also be eligible.  In select cases, U.S. Armed Forces Personnel in the following branches may be eligible; Army Corps of Engineers, Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency (excluding Homeland Security), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Secret Service, NASA Kennedy Space Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Cadets who are currently enrolled in a military academy with a scheduled entry date into the military.  It never hurts to ask!  If you qualify through your service to your country, don’t be shy to ask about any special discounts that might be available to you.   Military personnel must present proper documentation at the time of booking to qualify for the special rates. 

Thank you for your service to your nation!  

Happy Halloween

Happy Labor Day!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Wishing you all the best in 2012!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!  Happy Holidays, & Blessed New Year!