Thanksgiving 2014. Since we last joined hands around the turkey-laden table so much has happened in our world. Sadly, much of it has been tragic. Determined to voice my praise to a faithful God, I made note of the usual things for which to be thankful. As always I included the regular and the innovative: family, friends, colleagues and medical staff fit into the first category; difficult people, financial stresses as well as various and sundry trials and tribulations, slipped into the second scenario. I put down my pen midway through the list-making to prepare for an annual general meeting I was to attend that evening and a speech I was to give at the event.
While AGMs are sometimes characterized by ABCs - apathy, boredom, contention or a combination of any or all of those - this one was delightfully different. It didn't take me long to realize that in our city there is a group of people that I'd never thought of including in my roster of "gifts for which to be thankful". As I sat and listened to the history of the sixtieth anniversary of Inclusion Powell River, I was moved to tears to hear the stories of how, over the past six decades, people with disabilities in this community have been loved and nurtured. Even more profound was the atmosphere of excitement and laughter. No self-pity at this event!
That night I added more names to the list: ambulance service, police service, school teachers, hospital staff, medical professionals and on and on it went. I also changed direction as I thought of those who are without these services, of those who face poverty, disease and loneliness on a daily basis, many without visible cause for gratitude.
As we celebrate Thanksgiving this weekend, may our giving and our thanksgiving become as one.
