A Thanksgiving-Christmas State of Mind All Year

For me, thinking of Thanksgiving and Christmas warms my soul and heart. Both holidays were celebrated by my birth family resulting in many happy childhood memories for me. Both include special foods and feasting – ALWAYS a positive for me as I am most likely a Freudian oral-fixation personality. Christmas, in particular, brings beautiful music. (Yes, I love the traditional Protestant carols, classical scores, and new jazz renditions. I start playing carols on the piano in July, restraining myself from starting any earlier out of a sense of consideration for others who may not be similarly enthralled.)

Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. of America means, for me, getting together with family and friends, eating good foods, having a holiday from work, giving to others who need assistance, and reflecting on the good things in my life. All rather great things, I believe. Thanksgiving Day, or the long 4- to 5-day weekend, does not mean shopping for gifts. It just doesn’t. Neither does it mean scheduling my life around football games on the telly (sorry, footballers, I just never got into it – thank you, Dad!) All things considered, Thanksgiving turns out to be a relaxing, enjoyable time.

The older I get, the clearer my blessings are to me. I can walk, talk, hear, see, eat, drink, read, write, and drive without assistance. Each year that passes makes that more important. I have grand friends who see the real me and, despite that, still genuinely love me. I love them back, and that is a great blessing – the ability to give love. Every year, I can identify new blessings. This year they include a new mischievous cat named Skeeter, expanded vegetable gardens, and a slowly increasing talent on the clarinet. (I’m sure that my band director gives thanks for that!)

“Keep Christmas with you all through the year.” This sentiment is found in a Muppet Christmas song. I like it very much. In fact, it is part of my personal credo. Quite complementary to my meanings of Thanksgiving, Christmas is a getting together, making and eating special foods time. As a bonus, adults frequently act a little more kindly towards each other at the winter holiday season. The best thing, however, for a musician: Christmas imitates Fourth of July fireworks!!!

Music and Christmas. Performances clog my personal schedule. For one month I am playing, dancing, and singing. It’s halfway towards living inside a Broadway musical, which will be part of what my Heaven will be. Plus, I celebrate my friends’ performances and luxuriate in hearing new arrangements of Christmas songs.

I also celebrate my personal spiritual meaning of Christmas. I do that every day. That is a good state of mind.

I propose that we all try keeping a Thanksgiving-Christmas state of mind longer than the actual holiday season. Both holidays compensate for the darkness – they give us something to happily anticipate as the number of hours of daylight decrease. Both give the opportunity to make special foods, lovingly crafted and delicious for all. Both call to mind blessings. It is a state of mind worth keeping all through the year.

Blessings on you.

Photo and text copyright 2011 Maren E. Morgan, all rights reserved.