Let's Try Doing Thanksgiving a Bit Differently

Every year Thanksgiving in my parents home was the same ole thing -- my sister and I would deal with congested freeways and/or airports to get home to be with my parents, we'd help my mom cook these enormous meals consisting of the traditional southern staples (candied yams, macaroni and cheese that must have at least 5 cheeses, sometimes dirty rice if we can't get my Aunt whose specialty is this dish to bring it, various meats that must always include a Turkey and a "honey baked" ham amongst other foods). As is the case with most black folk, we'd prepare enough food to feed an army, gorge on this food until our bellys popped, and then allow the TV to watch us for the remainder of the evening. We always have a great time getting together, but feel so uncomfortably full after we'd eaten in one setting what we could have and should have eaten in seven.

A few years ago, we were at church on Thanksgiving Day morning and the minister suggested that we try doing Thanksgiving a bit differently. He suggested that rather than eat until we could eat no more, we package our remaining dinner and share it with the homeless. That day changed how we now do Thanksgiving. We still prepare these elaborate meals, but rather than eating it all and having it for the remainder of the week, we put the leftovers in individual food containers, drive to areas frequented by homeless people, and give the food away. At minimum we'd serve the same number of homeless people that ate dinner at our table that day. So if 10 of us ate that day, we'd serve at least 10 homeless people. These people would be deeply grateful to receive these specially prepared meal. They would thanks us endlessly.

Let's Try Doing Thanksgiving a Bit Differently (Part 2)

What would be great is if we added a little group exercise to our day before our big meal. I'm trying to work this element into our day, and its going to take some time. In sharing our Thanksgiving dinner with homeless and hungry people, we are reminded of how truly blessed we are. We feel that we are actively demonstrating God's love for His people. (See Matthew 25:35 where Jesus talks about the final judgment). My parents were so moved by this experience that they've extended feeding the homeless to not just on Thanksgiving day, but now prepare meals for hungry people on a regular basis. It is more moving than going to a homeless shelter and serving people, because we are preparing the food in our kitchen and take it to them which takes a lot of thought as we prepare the food. We are being reminded in the process of so much -- our privilege, our blessings, and even our gluttonous behavior. I'm not saying everybody should do what has become a tradition in my family, but we all should implement something into our Thanksgiving day traditions to show our gratitude to God. Just a thought.

Mother Wit Disclosed

Another attorney on the blogosphere, sharing her opinions (as learned from her mother) about love, life and living. Webster's New World Dictionary defines the term "mother wit" as native intelligence; common sense. The word "disclose" means to bring to view; uncover; to reveal; make known. I have been richly blessed in my life with great women who have nurtured, advised and shared with me the ways of the world -- essentially mother wit. The purpose of this blogspot is to disclose what I have learned from my mother, aunts and grand mothers about love, life and living and share it with you. After you read my blog, you won't be able to say I didn't tell you.

Joy Bennett Kinnon, in an article entitled, "Mother wit: words of wisdom from black women" featured in Ebony, March, 1997 states, "On the surface, the dictionary definition is simply 'common sense,' a natural intelligence. But dig deeper and there's a history. There is a wealth of living in the word. motherwit. In Black history, the word usage began in the 1800s. Thus the word was born and distilled in the brutality of slavery and has survived to enter the new millennium. It was a code word then, and its still a code word for the knowledge you must have to survive. It is, as author Toni Morrison says, 'a knowing so deep' that the lesson has been instilled and distilled to its essence. Collectively these words are a gift -- from your own mother, or anyone's mother. They are wise words for life's journey."

With the above premise in mind, I hope to impart to you the pearls of wisdom that my mother has imparted to me to help you in this journey called life as it has and is helping me. Peace&Blessings. Tryexcellence.