30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 26: Charity

Opportunities for giving are all around us. Giving and charity are not just limited to financial gifts. Our time and talents can be gifted as well.

A local service my mom benefited from was the Meals-on-Wheels program through our senior community center. Not only does this non-profit organization need financial support, but it also functions virtually solely on its volunteers.

My daughter and I are quite frequently called upon to take a route to deliver meals for the week, and whenever our schedule allows, we say, "YES!"

I know how much the hot, nutritious meals meant to Mom, so it does my heart good to help with this service. I am very thankful so many communities provide for those that can't get out to get a meal or prepare food on their own.

On this day of Thanksgiving, may we all be thankful for charity whether giving or receiving.

30 Days of Thankfulness - Day 11: Tradition

Today I am thankful that a tradition is something that can be made new every year. Repeating rituals again and again can be comforting and definitely something to look forward to as a child. However, as an adult, associating the memories of a lost loved one with a traditional event can be so painful. Due to that loved one's absence, creating a different ritual is sometimes necessary to get past the happier traditions of days gone by that are now just sad.

My mom loved every aspect of Thanksgiving dinner--the turkey and all the trimmings as well as family gathered at her table. Special recipes were reserved and only prepared for this November holiday. She looked forward to the lemon-lime gelatin salad and cranberry relish that complimented the flavor of the turkey and dressing so well.

Last year, as the Thanksgiving Day holiday came up so quickly following Mom's death, I couldn't bear to make her favorite dishes without her there to enjoy them, and thus a new plan was made.

We made reservations at a country club for their Thanksgiving buffet and enjoyed all the festive foods without the cooking and clean up. I watched the Thanksgiving Day parade on television for the first time ever, leisurely got ready to go, and had a most enjoyable time with my family. We had such a good time, that we are planning to do the same outing again this year, which now makes it a tradition.

October 2014 - 30 Day Photo Challenge - DAY 21:SHINY

It's that time of year

when traditions are near.

The creative carving commences

and there is decorating expenses.

All things shiny are associated with the holidays.