Most of us enjoy holidays. We usually get some days off from work. Sometimes we get presents. And some holidays are different from others.

Thanksgiving is one of the different holidays. You get some time off but no presents. Actually, Thanksgiving is a thinking holiday.

This is a day we are supposed to think about the many things we are grateful for. Some of us can think of things to are grateful for right away; others put little thought or effort into trying to think about being grateful.

We talk with our children at times about what they should be grateful for but we seldom look at what we have that we should be feeling gratitude about.

This is the kind of year when it seems we need to really look at our lives and give thanks. We can begin by looking around at our hills and neighborhoods and being thankful that we are not faced with the fires in California.

We can watch the news and hear about shooting taking place and be thankful we haven’t had that around here.

We can look at our neighbor who is in the hospital fighting to keep going and again be thankful for our health.

We can notice the homeless person on the corner who is asking each driver for help and be thankful that it isn’t us asking.

We can go to a meeting on how to handle the coming Tsunamis and how to prepare for it but at the same time be grateful it hasn’t arrived.

The most important thing is to recognize the many things we have to be grateful for in our lives. It is so easy to skip past the many ways we should be thankful.

Pass it on

As we raise our children, hopefully we teach them about being grateful. We teach them that this is far more important than merely saying “thank you” or even celebrating Thanksgiving. We need our young people to appreciate what they have and to recognize that many others have far less.

If parents don’t take the time to talk with their children about what they have to be thankful for, who will? Ask your child to make a list for Thanksgiving of things they are especially grateful for. Help your child get started but make sure you don’t take over the writing. But before you ask for their list, how about your list?

Can you make a list? Think about it. Sure, there are some things you would like to change about your life. Actually, you should be grateful for your ability to change things that aren’t the way you like them.

The most important thing you can do is to make Thanksgiving meaningful for your children and grandchildren. Talk with them about the beginning of Thanksgiving. Talk about how it began in 1621 and was celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans together.

Even that is worth talking about as we seek to find mutual understanding with people who are different from us. When we succeed even a little, we need to celebrate and appreciate the success.

Thankfulness hits home

As I write this it helps me begin my list of things I am thankful for. The computer I write on is faster than the old typewriter I was grateful for. I can check my spelling and my grammar with ease. I can get facts I never dreamed possible just a few years ago. I can learn how to do things today that will help me for the rest of my life just from one thing, my computer.

But my list goes on as my son helps me mow the lawn with a power lawnmower. Another son helped me set up my television so I can watch shows and movies I have never seen before. My daughter is bringing a turkey she was given at work for our large family to have for Thanksgiving.

My husband is in a special facility to help him get through the day. This is very sad but at the same time this is giving me the ability to get through the day and help the rest of my family. We are grateful for where we live and the people we know. We even still have apples on our trees that we can share with others.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all when it arrives. But make every day a special Thanksgiving Day.

Cynthia Martin is the founder of the First Teacher program and former executive director of Parenting Matters Foundation, which publishes newsletters for parents, caregivers and grandparents. To reach current First Teacher Executive Director Nicole Brewer, email nicole@firstteacher.org or call 360-681-2250.