Even with the COVID-19 pandemic, families around the USA will gather for Thanksgiving. There will be celebrating and plenty of good eating. Even though things seem bleak in the USA because of the pandemic, there is plenty to celebrate. People of the USA take the Thanksgiving break to celebrate the things that are good about life in 2021. COVID-19 has taken a toll in every country on the planet. The USA is no exception to this fact.
COVID-19 rates are spiking around the country. As a result of this many states are re-instating curfews and cutting down business hours. Yet, even with these possible measures being imposed there are still reasons to be thankful. Family is one.
Many people take the things that are really important for granted and family is one of these things. Your family situation may be convoluted at the best of times. If your family is alive and kicking in these pandemic laden times, you are blessed. Think of the people who will not be able to have a slice of turkey with loved ones this year. It is easy to assume family will always be there but if anything has been learned in 2020-21, it is the fact to not assume anything. If you can, reach out to family both close and estranged. You don’t have to invite the estranged faction to dinner, just let them know you are alive and checking to see if they are also. When the priest is doing a eulogy it is too late to miss someone at that point.
Health is another thing many people take for granted. In 2021 no one on the planet should be taking health for granted. If you are close to feeling okay then celebrate. With the pandemic and police killing people, if you are breathing, rejoice. This is true for young and older people. Many people complain about minor aches and pains but in 2021 everyone was shown what real health issues are. Shake off the rust and minor pains that may come from sleeping bad and inhale the fresh air and enjoy the state of health you have. If a strained muscle is all that’s wrong with you, then some Ben Gay will take care of that. Enjoy your health because there are plenty of people in the world wishing their only health concern was a tight thigh muscle.
Food on the table is another thing people can be grateful for. If you are eating daily and half way like what you are eating, you are blessed. I saw pictures of lines around the block of people waiting on food handouts in a major city. If you can open the pantry and have a choice of foods to eat be thankful. With the state of the economy, many people do not have this choice. It seems odd that in a country where restaurants throw away more food than they sell that people can be starving. Yet, in the USA this is happening and has been for decades. You may not like the hamburger or tuna you are eating but remember there are those in the USA who think Ramen noodles are a delicacy.
Citizens of the USA, these are a few of the little things you can be thankful for. Others are jobs, relationships, etc. Take the time this holiday season to embrace and enjoy the small things that you may have overlooked in the past. When you take that first bite of turkey or whatever you eat on Thanksgiving Day, savor the taste and remember that you are blessed.
Frank James IV © 2020
beingfrankwithfrank@gmail.com
The opinions expressed in this editorial are those of the writer and not of the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper or NCON Communication, its staff or management. “Being Frank” is a bi-weekly column exclusive to the Milwaukee Times Weekly Newspaper.