LET’S BE THANKFUL


Last week we celebrated one of the greatest holidays on the American calendar, Thanksgiving. It is a time to reflect on the many areas of life that we are thankful. On Thursday we all gathered with friends and family to eat great food, watch a little football, and celebrate the blessing we have in our lives. However, the holiday we call “Thanksgiving” has changed over the years and really has been diminished.

Remember when the expression “home for the holidays” meant Thanksgiving as well as Christmas? Back then, themes of bounty and gratitude were common at school, on TV, and in shop windows, which exhibited fall displays—Pilgrims, even!—from November 1st until the leftover turkey was in the fridge.

No longer. Halloween, now rivaling Christmas in sales and decorating fervor, takes over store shelves well before kids go back to school. In addition, by the time October’s page is torn from the calendar, Yuletide merchandise has already replaced the tricks and treats. Whatever happened to Thanksgiving?

A sudden disappearance might have spawned protests, but instead the holiday has been vanishing gradually from national awareness. This year, our drugstore didn’t even stock autumn napkins. Moreover, the country’s most popular procession, once known as the Thanksgiving Day Parade, is now named for the department store sponsoring it.

The culture may want you to think Thanksgiving’s been demoted to just another day out of work or a kickoff to the spending season, but don’t fall for it.

Thanksgiving Day is the heartbeat of America. Where “Independence Day” celebrates our freedom, Thanksgiving Day celebrates how rewarding that freedom is and how we have all been so richly blessed.

As I think about what I am thankful for I have to first thank God for my wife, Dawn. She has made life so great for me and our children, and a wonderful grand mother to little Jules.

Along that line I am thankful for my children. Angela, Greg Junior, and Meagan bring to my life great joy, with a bit of challenges….but I am blessed by all three of them.

Then I am thankful for the good people of Cornerstone Church (cornerstonechurch-ct.org). It has been my privilege to be their Pastor for over fives years. We have been growing together as we serve our community.

Now on to the reason I write this column. I am very thankful to be a resident of the great Town of Enfield. Coming from a major city, Detroit, I have come to appreciate the close nit community we all share.

Every year I get excited as the season change, knowing that in each season Enfield offers some type of community event to draw us all together. In the summer we have the 4th of July Celebration; the Fall brings many school events on the Green like when the kids have the Pumpkin displays carved to perfection in October.

I also am happy to be included in the political workings of Enfield. Over the years I have either assisted someone else’s campaign, or sought an Office myself. These campaigns can become heated at times, but they never boil over to the point of ruining friendships. It should be political, not personal.

I have gained many friends on the both sides of the aisle. When the campaign ends, the love and support for our community picks up.

So on that note I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Holiday. Remember, a thankful heart is a healthy heart.

Greg Stokes
Note: During the Christmas holiday season I would like to know about a special event or Causes of interest in Enfield. Email me at GTStokessr@aol.com and let me know what is going on around town