Thanksgiving prods us towards gratitude for what we may take for granted the rest of the year.
This week Ms. Dumas’s fifth-grade class visited the Senior Center (Hub) to read to us. The kids were assigned to list on blue cards what each student was thankful for. The cards are now posted on a wall at the Hub. It is an interesting read. Along with the expected “TV, bike, food, brother,” is also “clean water,” “electricity,” “peace,” “good air,” “books”… In a couple of minutes, they demonstrated some serious thinking. What a thoughtful bunch of kids!
So I have begun my “grateful” list: the delightful fifth-grade class, mosquito-free days, the big lake, devoted friends and family, chickadees, recovering health, the Hub, North House, Art Colony, etc. And this might surprise you: the Recycling Center! Can you imagine the county without that service? It is an important, busy place where the friendly workers have a grueling job. I plan to thank them during my next visit.
More than once, I have heard someone being asked, “Is your family coming for Thanksgiving?” with the majority responding, “I hope not.” This only was meant to express how much energy it takes to prepare the traditional feast. One memorable Thanksgiving when hosting the event for extended family, everything was prepared, and the turkey resting in the oven ready to carve when I accidentally pushed the oven’s self-cleaning lever, which locked the oven. THE TURKEY WAS LOCKED IN THE OVEN! I was petrified! My ingenious brother-in-law took apart the stove, lifted the turkey up and out of the oven. Celebration erupted!
Wishing a low-stress Thanksgiving to all!
Geri Jensen
Grand Marais
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