In the United States, November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. I’ve always considered this to be the month of gratitude. With all the chaos going on in the world, it’s really a good idea to focus on all the positive things and wonders going on in our universe.
My father was a Holocaust survivor, and every day of his life he expressed gratitude, so at an early age I, too, learned to be grateful. This is probably one of the reasons why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Its focus is on gathering together with loved ones for food and conversation, building a sense of interconnectedness. Giving thanks or showing gratitude is about loving and acknowledging ourselves and others. Therefore, November really is the ideal month to celebrate gratitude.
Gratitude Affects All of Us
Just before our recent presidential election, I reminisced a lot about what I remember about elections as a young child. Of course, I was thinking of my own grandchildren and what they might remember later in their own lives.
I was in third grade in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The date was November 22, just a week before Thanksgiving. He was a beloved president, with considerable integrity and wisdom. He led a renewed drive toward public service and held a strong belief in the…
