Give thanks today even if you feel in dire straits with the economy in the dumpster. If you have a little extra, give to the soup kitchens across America that are closing at a time when they are really needed. Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is still open in Detroit, and the Gleaners are busy too.
Not to be demeaning, but to put things in perspective, here are some jewels that I carry with me from 12 years of Catholic schools. They kick you right where you need it whenever you think we have it bad:
At least you’re not living in a hut, dying of thirst, hunger, or disease while watching your children die of the same, all the while insects and flies relentlessly aggravate the situation.
Another one: At least you have a family to give thanks with. There are children whose parents have long since died, or were murdered by marauding militia in places like Darfur. If they have any family, it’s the head of the household, like a 12-year old sister or brother.
Even if you are alone, and destitute, give thanks that there is always food somewhere in America. And even if you are living in your car—you have a car!
My 86-year old mother and myself pondered some of these things while strolling through Wiard’s orchard after they offered us all the Fuji apples we could eat because the season was over. All the beautiful apples that were left were going to cider anyway. We looked at each other and thought, only in America, and crunched away on our apples.
We also noticed on our fall drive, all the fruit trees in yards, especially a pear tree that was burdened from so many pears. Like me, I’m sure whomever lives there would gladly part with them. And since I’m the ultimate scavenger of everyone else’s vegetable garden long after the season ends and no one cares anymore, I know the wealth that can be found in leftover gardens. I’ve canned a mighty zesty green tomato, onion, carrot, and hot pepper medley, and green pepper relish galore, not to mention more than one Ratatouille dish, a great way to eat the last of the eggplant nobody wants?
All of this is nature’s bounty right before our eyes, but only in America is it scattered everywhere, and many times overlooked as food, good food, real food, for free.
Only in America, ask and ye shall receive from neighbors that you may not even know. I’ve read about people that have opened their homes to those that have no one this Thanksgiving. One woman has 35 people coming.
So give thanks to be an American in a land that is truly blessed compared to just about anywhere in the world, bad economy or not.
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