THANKSGIVING ACTION At this time of year, as we approach the holiday season, it's hard not to reflect on past holidays. I think, as you get older, you spend a lot more time thinking about how it was as well as enjoying what you have now. Families are always changing through the years. When I was first married and had my family, the holidays were always filled with joy and excitement. I had two daughters and a son, and from the time they were born we started building traditions. Each Christmas season would come and go, and the next was always more exciting than the last. I had my whole family to love and enjoy. My parents and grandparents, my wife and children. It was a fantastic time each year. Then one year things changed. It was the first major change in our family since my children had been born. My grandmother died on Christmas Day. Christmas Day was never the same after that, because each Christmas we would always remember that she died on Christmas Day. Through the years, each Christmas season, beginning with Thanksgiving, there have been a lot of changes. Loved ones were added to the family and my children got married and had their own children. These were the happiest of changes, but as with each family in the world, we also lose loved ones. I remember the Thanksgiving and Christmas the year my mother died. I never thought we would have a happy Christmas season again. I didn't think the holiday season could get any worse, but it did, when 18 months later my wife died. That year the holiday season was just a blur. I have moved on in my life. I find happiness in the holidays with my children and my grandchildren, but each holiday is different now. The holiday season can mean many things to many people depending on what is going on in your family. Many have not suffered the loss of a close loved one yet, and for that you are blessed this year, but for some this year may be the first without a loved one who was so close to them. It is with this thought in mind that I wrote this poem, Thanksgiving Action. Whatever is going on in your family this year, the ones that are close to you now is what you must dwell on. Never miss the opportunity to tell them you love them and hug them for all it is worth, especially this time of year, because one day, the Christmas season will never be the same. Thanksgiving Action by James "PoppyK" Kisner All across this country as... Thanksgiving Day draws near, We all make preparations for... this joyous time of year. We celebrate Thanksgiving... as we think about the reason, It also is the day that always... starts our Christmas season. Thanksgiving Day until we reach... our welcomed brand New Year, It is a time to celebrate... and also shed a tear. Sharing with the ones we love... our family and our friends, It seems our hearts have much more love... until the season ends. Each year finds us different... as we sit down to the meal, And those that share the meal with us... determine how we feel, To have your family there with you... enjoying those you love, But each year can be different... if one has gone above. We never think a time will come... when we will lose someone, We think about when they were here... enjoying all the fun. The holidays are special... as we go from year to year, And never think about a time... when one just won't be here. For years the holidays have come... and gone without a change, The family's gotten bigger... so some chairs were rearranged. Adding to the family... is a blessing we enjoy, A brand new baby daughter... or a bouncing baby boy. A daughter or a son-in-law... we welcome to our midst, And hopefully become a part... enjoying all of this. Each new member brings a change... as we enjoy transition, And beam with joy as they become... a part of our tradition. But this may be a year of change... you lost someone instead, There is an emptiness around... this change is what you dread. For years they were a part of you... enjoying all of this, But now there is a void around... and it is them you miss. So as you try to do the same... without them being here, It's difficult to share the joy... and not bring forth a tear. But we must also realize... the love we have for them, And love the family here with us... the way it's always been. So as you gather for your feast... with those you love the most, As a guest for dinner... or the tired, but blessed host. Enjoy the love of family... on this very special day, And just before you eat the meal... just bow your head and pray. Thank you for my family... and the friends who've come our way, Thank you for the love we share... while gathered here today. Thank you for the loved ones... who were here but have gone on, Thank you for the years we had... we treasure every one. Thank you for a heart so full... we want to share with others, Thank you for the families... that now share with one another. Thank you for this time of year... when love just seems to grow, Thank you for this time of year... and why we love it so. Thank you for this holiday... but let us realize, Today is all we really have... and it's before our eyes. So raise your heads and hug the ones... sitting at your table. Tell them how you love them so... today... while you're still able. «:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«^i^MISSI ^i^«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« Richiele Marie [email protected] (Missi) I disbelieved in reincarnation in my last life, too. »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«