Thankfulness – Solano Writing

I love Christmas!

I’ll put up Christmas lights until they can be seen from space.

But I refuse to turn them on until the day after Thanksgiving!

A local radio station started playing Christmas music on November 11^th

and I want to yell “STOP!”

Friends post pictures of their trees put up early

and I want to block them until December.

Walmart’s garden section is gone, replaced by a plethora of trees, lights, yard décor, and garlands.

Yes, I avoid that side of the store.

Did Scrooge infect me with a heart two sizes too small?

Did Rudolph punch me in the gut with his red snout?

No!

I just want to dwell in the attitude of

Thanksgiving.

This used to be a time that people celebrated the harvest. People would be truly thankful to God for the provision of food for the winter.

I know for many, this is a lean season. Inflation has hit hard at a time that many companies are downsizing. We are having to find ways to cut our budget.

But we still have so much to be thankful for.

I am reminded of a family I met years ago in Tijuana, Mexico. The mother worked at a mission to the poorest barrio. She invited our mission group to her home.

She was very proud of it. She prepared a simple dessert for us as we made our way in our fancy American cars into her neighborhood. It was on a hill, well above the flood zones that affected the barrio by the mission.

When we pulled up, we saw the plain cement block home with a metal roof. Upon entering, we were greeted by the bright colors of Mexican blankets covering the walls and the few seats.

The whole house was about the size of our living room.

She beamed as she welcomed us to her happy home.

I have also had customers who lived in grand homes with every luxury you can imagine.

And some of them were miserable!

What was the main difference?

Thankfulness.

That woman in Tijuana thanked God she no longer had to deal with floods, or a leaking roof. She had a job and food for her family. Life for her was awesome.

That wealthy customer always looked at what he didn’t have. He strove for the next big deal. He was all business. Sure, he had fun with all his toys, but they never satisfied.

Each of us has so much to be thankful for.

Do you have food for your next meal?

Do you have a place to sleep?

Do you have friends?

Do you have breath in your lungs?

If you answered yes to any of those, you have something to be thankful for!

So, before I get caught up in the excitement of the season of the Advent of Christ, I will dwell on my blessings.

Then, I’ll be thankful for the biggest blessing of all, God’s arrival on Earth to redeem humanity.

And then I’ll decorate the house until it looks like Santa’s elves are moving in.

What is it? Hint – It involves Pumpkin Spice.

Raise your hand if you know what PSL stands for.

Now raise your hand if you are overjoyed that you can now get all sorts of things with that flavor.

Yes, I’m talking about Pumpkin Spice Latte and the myriad of pumpkin spice products available.

A quick search revealed pumpkin spice –

Kit-Kat’s

Cheerios

candy corn

vodka

car polish

toilet paper

and, yes, many varieties of pumpkin spice coffee

Why?

What makes pumpkin spice so appealing?

What makes it so successful in marketing?

For me, the scent of pumpkin spice brings up many pleasant memories of fall.

Of Thanksgivings gathered at the table at my godparents’ home.

Of walking down frosty lanes thick with fallen leaves.

Of evenings by the fireplace enjoying hot cocoa and pumpkin pie.

Of carving pumpkins both as a kid and with my kids.

Of fun at fall festivals.

And of childhood excitement that Christmas was just around the corner.

Let’s face it. Fall is coming!

Here in Colorado, truckers are already required to carry chains with them through the mountains. Today (Labor Day), despite the high being 94f, we are expected to cool all the way down to 57f tonight.

I am tempted to grumble about the cold weather to come. I like long warm days, not the short cold days that will soon be here.

Instead I choose to be thankful.

For the love of family.

For the fellowship of friends.

For a warm, secure home.

For food on the table.

For the grace of God!

And even for the taste of pumpkin spice.

Let’s choose thankfulness early this year!

What are your favorite parts of Fall?

Do you have any cherished memories that come up at the scent of pumpkin spice?

Please share your answers in the chat below or on my Facebook or Instagram posts.

And if you guessed that today’s photo was of a pumpkin spice product, you’re right.

Introducing Pumpkin Spice Moon Pies available at a Cracker Barrel near you.

Tag: Thankfulness

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