Last year I talked about what “home” meant to me personally on Thanksgiving. I really don’t believe that I can say it any better today than I did back then. After losing someone who was such a loving and constant presence in my world, I can however add that I am even more thankful this year for who and what I do have in my life. I truly was blessed with one of the greatest big brothers ever, and am thankful for every meager, lively, and sometimes annoying moment I got to spend with him. There are times when you really have to search for your blessings, but I guarantee you that you are always surrounded by them.
A few weeks ago I was listening to someone talk about what “home” meant to them, and it occurred to me that in my life “home” is not a specific place, and it does not always contain the same exact people. To me “home” is anyplace where a blessing is said before eating a meal. I grew up in a household where my father said the same prayer each day before we started eating. If you asked me to recite it out loud for you, I don’t think I would be able to remember it, but I always recognize it when I hear it. I still remember the day when I heard someone else say that prayer, and how surprised I was that it was not original to my father. Holidays and special events were the only days that he ever veered off track with his everyday blessing, usually to thank God for the opportunity for everyone to gather together, and to ask safe passage for friends and family as they traveled to spend time with their loved ones. So this year, even though I am not hosting Thanksgiving, I will be spending the day at “home,” surrounded by family, listening to my father as he says a special prayer of Thanksgiving, and in my heart and thoughts I will be saying my own very special prayer for the family, friends, and loved ones God has blessed me with. I pray that you may all feel at “home” this year, surrounded by the people you love most, taking time out to thank God for his many blessings.
