For years we have had widows and other elderly AND college students who cannot afford to go home for Thanksgiving, over for a day of fun and good food. Its been so dang much fun, because the older folks feel alive being around the college students, and the college students leave wiser for being around elders. Thus Thanksgiving Day in our home is about building a bridge not a wall.

~Beth~

For our family, it means reflecting even more on the God who made this world and gives so much to us. We seek to help and serve others throughout the year for this reason, but especially on Thanksgiving. We do want to be good stewards of the earth, but contrary to the statement above in the Seventh Gen. newsletter article, the world has not given us what we should be thankful for - God has.

How about giving back a life to the turkeys. Please be aware that factory farmed animals suffer tremendous abuse. And by purchasing meat products, you are contributing to that suffering.
There are many vegetarian options and websites that offer nutritious, yummy veggie alternatives to your Thanksgiving meal. My family has been veg for 13 years and we have had delicious holiday meals better than anything we had in our meat eating days.
Happy Thanksgiving - Save a life, go veg.

Oh and just want to mention that factory farms are one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gases, so you'll also be saving the environment.

There is a level of disconnect that is astounding when people sit around a table to celebrate the season, but they do it around a once sentient being that has spent its life being tortured. Turkey producers crowd birds by the thousands in warehouses, allowing them inadequate room to establish a functional pecking order, and fighting among frustrated birds is rampant. Unable to engage in natural behavoirs, they also suffer amputattion to the tips of the toes and a portion of the upper beak. This painful and sometimes fatal procedure is the overture to a life of stress, filth and disease in which the turkeys are never once allowed to go outdoors. In addition, factory farming is the number one cause of water pollution in the U.S.

Our actions and our choices do matter. I wonder if there will ever be a time when the country gets over its turkey obsession for the holidays by celebrating in a way that truly gives back by making compassionate, cruelty-free, and environmentally sound eating choices.

This year we are not traveling to visit family until the weekend following Thanksgiving. My son's scout troop is part of a program which offers families the opportunity to host military recruits for Thanksgiving dinner. My family is looking forward to meeting and sharing the time with two deserving sailors!

It seems to me that a lot of folks think that by giving their time, money or effort out to people in need, they are fulfilling their God given commandment to help one another.

What about a stranger? Would you invite him/her into your home and feed them? Would you treat them equally; just because they don't have the things you have?

Is Thanksgiving the only time the family sits together at the table and gives thanks to the Lord? All three major religions teach that you are to do this daily and at each meal. Would you pray in a Restaraunt?

Give thanks this day and rejoice by bringing someone who has less than you into your home. They are easy to find at VA Hospitals and assisted living center.