According to most historians, the Pilgrims never observed an annual Thanksgiving feast in autumn. In 1621, they did celebrate a feast following their first fall harvest, but this feast was never repeated. In fact, most devoutly religious pilgrims observed a day of thanksgiving with prayer and fasting.

Today however, Thanksgiving has become a day for feasts and celebration of family. The focus on ‘giving thanks’ for how bountiful our lives are often takes a backseat to turkey and stuffing, mounds of potatoes, copious vegetables and side dishes, and numerous heavy desserts.

Each day we are given the opportunity to reflect on our thankfulness, on the gifts given to us and on the gifts we have to share with others. This ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ is by Divine Intention and provides us with a constant renewal of faith.

Many famous people have shared with the world their views on being thankful; Theodore Roosevelt wrote, “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.”

Kahlil Gibran penned, “Your friend is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving.”

Edward Sandford Martin said, “Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”

Anne Frank wrote in her diary, “I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature and the sun, go out and seek happiness in yourself and in God. Think of the beauty that again and again discharges itself within and without you and be happy.”

Our Heritage of Peachtree residents would like to share their thoughts on the things they are grateful for:

• “I am thankful for my family and friends, that my health is good and for the helpful people at Heritage.” -Virginia Bell

• “I thank God to be an American. Bless the assisted living communities to help the elderly to give them a healthy, happier life.”-Irene Pound

• “I am thankful to be on two feet, and for my family.”-Rose McIntyre

• “This Thanksgiving I’m thankful my two daughters will be able to be here with me; I’m also very thankful to be with my “Heritage” friends!”-June Faulkenburg

• “I’m thankful for everything!”-Lucille Langford

• “I’m thankful for friends, that I’ve lived to be 93, that my kids love me, the food is good and people are nice to me.”-Roger Shurtz

• “I’m thankful for good health, good food to eat and a nice place to live.”-Joan Fogle

• “I am thankful for life itself and for the strength to be able to walk.”-Martha Eason

• “For everyone here at Heritage. The food and family and friends.”-Helen Steele

• “I’m thankful for my lovely life, happy childhood, traveling, loving family and friends. I am truly thankful for being an American, living in the USA, with our freedoms and abundances.”-Elizabeth Robinson

• “Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year, going to visit your friends and have a great turkey dinner with all the relatives that you haven’t seen in a long time. Children are grown now and larger than you. It’s really a surprise not to see little children running around!”-Alice Nichols

• “Thankful for my lovely life, happy childhood, traveling, loving family and friends. I am truly thankful for being an American, living in the USA, with our freedoms and abundances.”-Elizabeth Steckel

• “Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays of the year, going to visit your friends and have a great turkey dinner with all the relatives that you haven’t seen in a long time. Children are grown now and larger than you. It’s really a surprise not to see little children running around!”-Alice Nichols

• “I’m thankful for church and education.”-Lind Hemphill

• “I have to say on behalf of my husband and myself that we are very thankful for the help our son and daughter-in-law have given us. Although we get homesick, we realize we couldn’t take care of ourselves without their help.”-Ruby Moore

• “Thanks to our children for wanting us closer to them and locating Heritage of Peachtree. I’ve missed my Florida friends of 33 years, but know it’s for the best.”-Helen Louise Conrad

• “I am very grateful for a long, interesting life. But most of all for good health.”-Evelina Kisten

• “I’m grateful for my family, my daughter and son, seven grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. Living here has been good, everyone has been very kind to me.”- Edna Ott

• “Now that I am what is called a ‘senior citizen’ there are many things to be thankful for. Thank God for a long, happy life. Children, grandchildren, now great-grandchildren to enjoy. Having to have extra care and live in assisted living is a great change, however where I am is so wonderful in every way, I am so very thankful.”- Cleo Bartoletti

• A Thanksgiving poem by Joyce Woznica:
Here at my retirement home,
I am grateful for the view from my four tall windows of our inner courtyard,
with it’s chickadees still here, it’s white bloom of flowers,
and it’s red and gold bushes!
I AM THANKFUL FOR NATURE!
Large Thanksgiving dining and living rooms,
both lovingly decorated,
and with each having a wall of windows on gardens!
A scrumptious dinner and afterwards
singing and conversations around the piano in the living room!
I AM THANKFUL FOR WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS AND HUGS FROM CARE STAFF!
Later at night in my rooms, I hear the far whistle of a train.
In the past, I might have resolved to soon be on a train and to travel.
But now, here, I am content to watch the crescent moon and
Thanksgiving star Venus from my windows before bed!
I AM THANKFUL TO BE CONTENT!

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