The Daily Recruiter

On a recent trip, my family visited Stone Mountain, Georgia. As we walked the trails surrounding the park, I couldn’t help but notice the vibrant colors of the leaves and the smell and feel of the cool, crisp air. Subsequently, I was reminded of the fast approaching holiday, Thanksgiving. Quickly, my mind was flooded with fond memories of family trips to grandma’s house, laughter, good food, and storytelling around the dining room table.

Considering that Thanksgiving Day is just a little over a week away, I thought it might be important to reflect on the meaning of Thanksgiving. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines thanksgiving as the act of giving thanks or a public acknowledgment or celebration of divine goodness. The American Heritage Dictionary recognizes thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude. Dictionary.com notes thanksgiving as the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, especially, to God; an expression of thanks and a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness. With that said, Thanksgiving entails much more than a turkey dinner and pumpkin pie!

It’s comforting to know that as Americans, we have a day designated solely for expressing gratitude for our freedoms: a day set aside to openly acknowledge the blessings in our lives. It is a time to celebrate the home and family. And as we do, let us be reminded of the words offered by our 35^th president, John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”