Next Thursday marks the end of fall/beginning of winter, holiday season for many who celebrate the holidays, and it marks the time of year when family, food, friendship, and fellowship seems to rise to the top and put a little more liveliness to our gait, a bigger smile to our face, maybe a song on our lips, and hopefully a little more room in our hearts.

Actually, my winter holiday season will begin extremely early (2:30-3:00 a.m. ish) on Wednesday morning as it does, and has started my holidays for many years. It’s then, when I experience one of my favorite customs, all alone, peaceful and tranquil, where the world is all mine for a few minutes each year, on the streets of Jamestown in the sparkling shimmer of the already hung Christmas snowflakes perched on the downtown street light posts., some years those lights glistening on the falling snowflakes creating some beauty in my five minutes of peaceful solitude. I won’t divulge what that custom is, though many already know, but, for me, it’s a stoppage in time when the world is perfect, if only for just a few moments.

Thursday, though, is my favorite holiday, mainly because its glow doesn’t come from twinkling lights, or reflective tinsel, or shimmering bulbs, but instead it’s glow seems to stem from the fire in our hearts that warms us through this time of year.

There are no presents exchanged on Thanksgiving, there is no tree to decorate, or no wreaths to hang. The only holiday song Thursday will be, “Over the River and Through the Woods,” and instead of what kind of television movies/shows are resurrected at Christmas time, my television will be tuned to parades and football.

Thanksgiving is not a holiday of anticipation of what I might receive under the tree, it is, instead, a day to reflect and appreciate what I already have. My list includes:

¯ Family – I am so very grateful for my family, my beautiful and understanding bride, Sally, and my children and their spouses, who all have made me so very happy and have filled my heart with pride. I am so proud of, and love, all of my grandchildren, and great-grandson, who have brought so much pleasure to my life. Though we don’t see them as much as we’d like, they are the givers of so much joy to Sally and me. I am so grateful for my brothers, sisters, brothers-in law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews and their children, from both sides of my family, who have made me so proud to call them family.

¯ Opportunities – I owe so much, to so many who have given me opportunities which have been a huge part of my life. Chances to teach, coach, officiate, volunteer, counsel, lead groups, write, were allowed to happen for me because people gave me the chance. I am proud to have prepared myself to be able to earn those opportunities, but so grateful to those who gave me the chances to prove my efforts were not in vain.

¯ Friends – I have had so many people in my life, who I know I could/can count on to be there for me, who have supported me, who have loved me, and who have contributed to the many wonderful experiences and memories I have been lucky enough to have in my years of living.

¯ Experiences – I have experienced amazing things in my life. I have been able to meet so many great people, visit so many wonderful places, and do so many things, and I have thousands (probably more) of memories I will take with me to my final resting place.

¯ Critics – I am so grateful for my critics, those who have questioned my thoughts, philosophies, methods, etc., which have allowed me to work hard to make sure I never get complacent.

These are just some of those things I can reflect on each Thanksgiving, which validate what a wonderful life I have had. I was once interviewed and one comment I made was that the measurement of a person’s life could be determined by the number of stories they are able to recall and share. Sometimes, I feel like I have hundreds of thousands of stories I can recall and share, (and do so as much as I can.) I truly believe what I said in that statement. It helps me realize and appreciate the amazing life God has given me. May you all be able to do the same this coming Thursday, as well. Happy Thanksgiving, all!