I did something different this Thanksgiving day and it felt good. I did not do anything earth shattering,  such as feed many homeless people, or cook a huge turkey and all the fixings. Instead I had been wondering how to make Thanksgiving unique. How to make this Thanksgiving stand out from the normal holiday family feast.

This year I looked through the refrigerator and cupboards. I looked for foods that have been given by friends and family that have not been eaten yet. I thought making a Thanksgiving meal out of food that was given would add a special meaning to a special day we pick to be thankful.

Well, I don’t know how most people would feel about giving up their Turkey dinner for some odds and end that have been in the freezer or cupboards, but I found this Thanksgiving meal to be more special than the usual feast.

In truth I really enjoyed eating food family and friends had given us. There was not a lot of variety, but there was enough with the addition of side dishes and desert. It felt kind of special eating a meal that others had cared enough to make. I wonder if the Homeless feel this way on holidays when they are served a special meal.

I think what I really felt was gratitude.  Gratitude for others that cared enough to make something for me to eat. Eating this Thanksgiving meal really made this Thanksgiving stand out as being unique.  Maybe you may want to try it when you have your next holiday meal? Check your freezer and cupboards for dishes, jelly’s, and other foods that someone thought enough of you to make and give to you.

Include these items in your next meal and feel the warmth flow into in your heart, radiate throughout your chest, warming you, and making memories that will be there forever.