“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.” ~Theodore Roosevelt

Like many, I found myself traveling to a family function for Thanksgiving again this year. My favorite part of the holiday is not the carving of the Turkey or even the pie selection.  It has been consistently the blessing at the start of the meal, where we are asked to reflect on the previous year.  We are asked to think of those lost who are no longer able to be with us at the table and to reflect and be thankful for each other.    I have never taken that blessing lightly, as I truly believe it is important to be thankful .

When I read Roosevelt’s words, I am reminded of this:  What we have should be much smaller than what we give.

As we sat after dinner reading the advertising curriculars for Friday deals, I realized that our perspective of “giving” has changed.  We now believe that a stacking of more gifts under the tree is the measurement of giving – It is not.  The real things that my Grandparents and Parents gave me as gifts are the things that last: character, resourcefulness, courage, honesty and an ability to laugh at myself.  Those don’t come packaged in boxes. They are gifts that are given with love and recirculated to each other and the next generation in the most important way: Deeds.

“Of all the question’s that can come before this great nation……..there is non, which compares in importance to the great central task of leaving this land an even better land for our descendant’s than it is for us”

We should be Thankful for the gifts we have but all must do our part to make sure that we re-gift it again to the future generations.  The gifts I speak do not come in boxes, they come in deeds.