It’s three days until Turkey Day.<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/tgd3.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1712" alt="O" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/tgd3.jpg?w=227" width="227" height="300" /></a>

Time for family reunions, food, fun,

travel, football games, Black Friday

and being thankful.

Not necessarily in that order.

Family reunions may iffy this year with <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/11/25/247128859/as-storms-spread-thanksgiving-travel-is-looking-tricky">a major storm wreaking havoc</a> over the entire U.S.

Off topic here, but I found this interesting blog about a similar weather pattern fifty years ago. Read <a href="http://www.weather.com/news/history-repeating-itself-november-1963-2013-thanksgiving-20131120">November 1963 vs November 2013. Is Weather History Repeating Itself?</a> for the full comparison of weather history.

Even Black Friday shopping will difficult. I do worry about all those people camped outside stores to be first in line for the extra savings items. It's got to be cold and wet in their tents. Are the savings <em>really</em> worth all the effort and discomfort?
<p style="text-align:left;">This year things are different than they were for that first Pilgrim Thanksgiving feast. What hasn’t change is the basis for Thanksgiving.</p>
The celebration became an annual tradition with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving_(United_States)">Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation</a> of a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

As early as 1607, the inhabitants in the Commonwealth of Virginia held Thanksgiving services. Celebrations rooted in their religious beliefs and to show gratitude to their Heavenly Father.

Pilgrims were <a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~cap/puritan/purhist.html">Puritan Separatists</a>. Their journey to America began with a desire to escape religious persecution under Elizabeth I and the Church of England or Anglican Church.

<a href="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/pilgrims-facts.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-3893" alt="pilgrims-facts" src="http://judythewriter.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/pilgrims-facts.jpg?w=300" width="300" height="199" /></a>

Personally, I believe being thankful shouldn’t be limited to one holiday. An attitude of gratitude  should be an everyday occurrence. Check <a href="http://judythewriter.wordpress.com/2013/11/13/grateful-gratitude-one-word-wednesday/">my blog</a>.

Because it is the season, I want acknowledge my Thanksgiving treasures today:

my loving husband (who’s the hero model for my novels)

my family and friends  (far and near)

my pets (who brighten every day)

my church (which is my anchor)

and

most especially you, my readers.

As you go about the preparations for your celebration, spend some time thinking about the origins of the holiday and say a special thank you for your Thanksgiving treasures.

And, if you are traveling, Godspeed.