What About Tom?

We are a week away from Thanksgiving (my favorite day of the year!) and all anyone can talk about is Black Friday. Either where the sales are or outrage that stores are now opening at 9pm on Thanksgiving night. But what about Tom, the poor Turkey?? Have people forgotten that the 4^th Thursday in November is an homage to Tom and his Delicious Gang of accoutrements? A day that we spend with our Families in thanks and adore him with our bellies? A day that we show our gratitude for one another and all that we are lucky enough to have?

What about TOM?!?! And what about Tom, Harry and Jane - The people around our Nation who don’t have the privilege to gather around a table – those who don’t have access to a substantial and nutritious meal, not just on Thanksgiving but every day of the year. If all of us who live a Life of Luxury – a constant roof over our head with Heat, Food, and Clothing – just spent a few quiet moments surrounded by our Feasts and Loved Ones on Tom’s Holiday, really thinking about how lucky we are and how unfortunate others are, I believe that would be enough to really start making a difference for others. Not just one day of the year, but Year-Round. For Life.

There seems to be a problem during the Holiday Season (I am not immune), that people are their most generous and race to the soup kitchens to help dole out turkey and stuffing, pull out their checkbooks, raid their penny jar for the Salvation Army bell ringers. And that is Great - but what all of the other days? Why don’t we feel this way all the time?

Last year I came up with an idea to make blankets during the spring/summer months and donate them to children at battered women’s shelters. Have I done it yet? No. Do I still plan on it? Yes.

What I have found is that I am not the only one with ambitions like this – it’s just the problem of actually pulling the trigger on your idea. So this Thanksgiving, while all of my Wonderful Family is gathered round to adore Tom and his Delicious Gang, I am going to issue a charge. Do at least one thing in the next year to help out those less fortunate than yourself. It doesn’t have to be something huge – start small and work your way up. I will be making my blankets this year – not huge but it’s something. And I plan to build on that every year.

My charge to you, dear reader, is to do the same. Get Involved and Inspire others to follow suit. If we all start with something SMALL, we can work our way to something HUGE - Together. It’s all in the Rebeelution.

** There are many amazing outlets to give during the Holiday Season. Many markets are offering a paper bag that you can fill up with Holiday Meal basics (canned goods, etc) for usually around $10 that you can donate right at the store!