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Reminders

    It's Thanksgiving eve, and tomorrow is a day often filled with family, friends, fun, food, and for some, football. As we pass dishes around the table, stories will be told to share news and to share memories. Plans will be made to prepare for Christmas. In some families, there is a tradition of each person sharing something for which he is thankful.

      For years, the day after Thanksgiving was the day I put up my tree. My parents were already south for the winter, so there really wasn't anything to put under it except three ceramic St. Nicholases that I have found in a consignment shop. They represent St. Nicholas as he was once imagined in England, German and France, and therefore, they represent 3/4 of my recent lineage. I wish I could have found Ireland as well.

        One year, it came to mind that my heritage is a gift from God. These little statues were a reminder of an intangible gift. From then, the hunt was on. What were other intangible gifts God had given me and what could I use to remind me of it? What were things that I had around the house that reminded me of an intangible gift? Over time, the collection under my tree grew. Some of the reminder items included

My three St. Nicholases for my heritage

Running shoes for good health

A sword given to me by friends for friendship and the Word of God,

My family history for my family history

My photo albums of family for family

A cross-stitch I made for Mom for creativity

A guitar and CDs for music

A church ornament for the Church or my church (thanks to Maryanne Thornton)

Books for  ideas and for the opportunity they present to sit at the feet of brilliant people

My diploma for education

and (one of my favorites) one or more Granny Smith apples. Apples are given to teachers and I like my teaching to be crisp and more than a little bit tart!

       I have also suggested to friends with children or parents at home to put a picture of the children or parents under the tree. They are tangible, but what a way to remind someone of your love for them than by saying  that they are a gift from God

 

                May I suggest this idea to you, as a way to tie thanksgiving to Christmas and to deepen the meaning of both? If your family is one of those that shares something each is thankful for, there's the beginning of your list. If your family does not, then perhaps this year can be the beginning of two new traditions.

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