Will Tom be at Your Table this Thanksgiving?

It’s always a good thing to be charitable and set an extra place setting for at least one guest. No matter what the fare, there’s always someone who would like to share a meal, and in good company. The holidays can be stressful, exciting, and also lonely.

I asked if Tom would be at the table because for many he won’t be. I’m not referring to just any ‘ol Tom, Dick, or Harry, I’m referring to Tom turkey, the large male bird. We’ve all heard and seen first hand that prices are rising, and food prices are astronomical. But don’t let not being able to buy a turkey and the fixings deter your holiday plans. Celebrate! Take inventory of your blessings, although at first it might seem like you don’t have any at all, I guarantee you do. The fact that you’re able to read this article is a blessing. Ask someone who has lost their sight if it’s a blessing to see or someone who is illiterate.

So what the Tom turkey won’t be on the table, have you ever tried making chicken and dressing? Add the cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and whatever else makes you happy and eat. Who said it has to be this are that? The pilgrims ate what the land offered at that time and they were grateful to eat and live another day.

Give thanks for what you have and don’t be persuaded by the marketers in this season, remember their goal is to get you to buy and buy their product because you need it. Again, I say give thanks, and if you’re going to buy anything, buy time. How do we buy time? By slowing down and enjoying each and every moment. The phrase “buying time” just means that you’re stalling or delaying. We live in such a rushed, and in a hurry society that we miss a lot. Buy time and spend it with your loved ones or with someone or something you care about.

If we slow down, we just might see the beauty that still exists in the world. We’ve all been through a lot these past couple of years and our way is still unclear, but we have to keep going. And we have to encourage others to keep going, and sometimes we have to encourage ourselves. The early European settlers to North America were faced with harsh conditions in a new land. The native Americans showed these settlers kindness and the lay of the land.

I think we all began a pilgrimage in 2020, we found ourselves in a new landscape, a foreign place. It was frightening and yet freeing at the same time. We had to search within to find our bearings, whether we would grow through the experience or let it change us to our detriment. We found out who and what we could rely on and what monsters lurked inside.

As we continue on this journey, we’ll find that we all need help from time to time despite our economic status. Money’s a great tool, but the power is with the people. And you can’t tap into that source of power until you make a connection. Show kindness to others, make an impact, make a connection.

I’m grateful for family, especially friends because they made a conscious choice to be a friend. And I’ll always have an attitude of gratitude because I want to be a blessing to others.

Clifton Campbell
Executive Director & CEO