Another holiday gone. I spent the day visiting with family and friends and watching football. I was quite organized with my food preparation so I was able to spend more time visiting. The only flub happened when my sister called. It was time for the rolls to come out of the oven, so the ones on the back of the cookie sheet were too crispy. That was ok though, less bread for me to eat…just what my weight loss program called for.

I like to reflect on past Thanksgiving dinners. My favorite memory of this holiday was happened over 20 years ago. My kids, a girlfriend, and I, put on a Thanksgiving dinner for homeless people and people that were going to be alone that day. I remember seeing the joy on my kids faces as they hung the people’s coats and visited with them as the food was being prepared. Everyone has such a good time. There were a couple of women who had been friends over 30 years previous and reconnected. That reunion brought tears to my eyes.

In my life, it has always been about giving to others. Often my efforts have been unappreciated. I just reflect on the act…..how did it make me feel when I did it. That is what is important. At that point, everything else associated with it becomes secondary. I see this trait in my kids. It took me quite awhile to get to the point of just thinking about the initial act of helping, and how I felt at the time, as being the thing most important. I hope my kids have reached that point as well.