Shoulder to shoulder is a phrase that kept resounding through my mind as I began to think about what to share with you this month.
Isn’t it a perfect phrase for November?
When we stand shoulder to shoulder with others, we are standing with them.
Whether it be on the football field or on the battlefield as a veteran, shoulder to shoulder seemed appropriate.
Solidarity. Togetherness. Gratefulness to serve and stand together.
Truly, that’s what this magazine is all about…standing together for a cause to celebrate and encourage our community.
Interesting that election day falls this month. Veteran’s Day, when we celebrate those who stood together for our country.
It’s a perfect description of Thanksgiving, isn’t it? Where there are family and friends gathered around your table, shoulder to shoulder, to celebrate the season of gratefulness.
Although my gathering is smaller this year, and perhaps yours is, too…celebrating all of those who are gathered “shoulder to shoulder” will be done with thankfulness.
What are you grateful for as you celebrate this season of thankfulness?
Making a conscious effort to look at life with a grateful heart is so important.
Whether you have had a family loss this year or new births, or members added to your family, celebrate all of them. Lives well-lived and those to be lived. I have to do that, too.
There will be fewer feet under my table to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. Many who have moved to other places will be missed.
How will you celebrate–with favorite family recipes or a potluck?
Will you gather for Thanksgiving with family members at home? Or is a restaurant venue the place that you will celebrate with loved ones? Perhaps a few of you will have a “Friendsgiving” if you are celebrating a distance from home with others like you. I get it. Our landscape of celebration is simply vast and diverse today.
If your feet were under my table for Thanksgiving, I would have a favorite recipe for dressing prepared to go with the turkey roasted on the grill. Favorite sides, desserts, and bread would accompany that turkey and dressing.
The menu will reflect memories of former gatherings and etch new memories for this day of celebration.
Somewhere in the background will be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, a football game, and always a Christmas special in the evening.
And can I tell you that once that meal has ended, let the beginning of decorating Christmas begin!
I know some of you will already have your tree up the first week in November, but I will linger over the beautiful color of fall a little longer. I’ll relish the pumpkins and leaves and the thankful signs and seasonal beauty in places indoors and out that remind me to continue to be thankful before the season of gifts begins.
Take time to reflect on what’s truly important this month, friends. Shoulder to shoulder, may you stand together to share what matters.
