Next week, we in the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving. According to tradition, the first Thanksgiving was in the fall of 1621, when the Pilgrims gave thanks for surviving the winter and for the help of Squanto, a Native American who escaped slavery in England. Squanto taught the newcomers how to cultivate corn and survive in the New World. Another day of thanksgiving occurred in 1623. The various colonies and settlements celebrated days of Thanksgiving at different times throughout the year. However, in the midst of the American Civil War, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established the final Thursday of November as an official national day of Thanksgiving. In 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday up one week to boost retail sales, and in 1941, he signed the bill that made the fourth Thursday in November the official national day of Thanksgiving.

For many, Thanksgiving has become the beginning of the Christmas shopping season and a boost to the economy. We are already being bombarded by early Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. I just got a flyer from the Caribbean Cruise Line offering early Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on cruises to the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Already, I am seeing homes with Christmas trees decorated and lit in anticipation of the Christmas season.

I have always worshiped in a liturgical church and followed the liturgical church year when it comes to Christmas. This year, the first Sunday in Advent, on December 3, marks the beginning of the holiday, or holy day, season. I don’t even think about Christmas until Santa rolls down Fifth Avenue at the end of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I have been making an effort this month to keep a gratitude list in my journal. I don’t make a list daily, but I am taking time each week to think about what I am thankful for.

1. Warm tea on cool mornings. I love the hot cinnamon spice tea from Harney and Sons.
2. Good books. There are so many memes on Facebook about reading and addiction to books. (Hello, my name is Olivia, and I am a reader.)
3. Making art. I can’t claim to be an artist, really, but I can pretend to be one. I bought sets of soft and oil pastels, sketching/drawing pencils, a set of Faber-Castell Gelatos, and a sketchbook. I am thankful for the time I spend making a picture after watching various YouTube videos. That time helps me decompress and gives me a sense of calm–and accomplishment.
4. The Girls with Cameras community for learning opportunities and support.
5. My husband. He puts up with a lot, including my various Amazon and Walmart purchases. (I’ll have to cut back if I want to go on a cruise anytime in the near future!) He even likes my photography!