On the eve of Thanksgiving, consider what you can do for others.
The holiday season is much hyped. The scenes of joy and family and perfect tables set with perfect food establish high expectations. Often, they're unreasonably high.
Meanwhile, the reality for all too many people is they'll be alone. Or unable to afford that perfect table and those perfect gifts exchanged later in the season.
As we've become empty nesters, we have been sharing what we have with those who either have less or have no one with whom to share. Our holiday plans include both family and friends. Some of our friends would otherwise be alone.
We decided to do this a few years ago when we chose to be alone for Thanksgiving, going out to dinner instead of cooking anything. It was one of those years when the kids were all on their "alternate years" for the holiday. We vowed we wouldn't be alone again. While the meal was truly memorable, the experience was not the same as the old days.
Reach out to someone during the holidays. Share the days with someone new, someone who won't be with their own family or who would be but would celebrate without the trimmings.
I wish EVERYONE - yes, I really do mean everybody - a joyous holiday.
Many years ago, long before people stopped trusting other people, we would call the nearest military base (I always tried for the Navy) to invite a sailor or soldier, or two or three, for the holiday. We called Walter Reed one year. Nowadays the military won't allow this to happen - for obvious reasons. Same is true with college campuses. But maybe you could go visit. Maybe a nursing home.
Share your day and share what you have. Believe me, the payback is far more than whatever you think it might cost you.
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