A Month of Thanksgiving!

The month of Thanksgiving is here!  I say “month” because there really is so much to be thankful for that not all of it can fit into a single day.  Starting right off, the month begins with All Souls Day.  Though classically this observance is tied to the religiously faithful, the meaning behind it is still beautiful and poignant even if you’re not religious.   The day was set aside to offer prayers for the deceased (In the religious context, it was intended to offer prayers for those who had died being faithful to doctrine).  To me, whether one was religious or not, All Souls Day is an opportunity to honor and give thanks to our loved ones whose spirits gave us so much while alive, and lets them know they are not forgotten while they continue their journeys in the worlds of Spirit.

Next comes Veterans Day, November 11, in honor of what our men and women in the military have endured throughout the history of our country and their work throughout the world.  How many have given the ultimate sacrifice for freedom?  I’m sure all of us would agree the death of just one person would be “too much.”  Thus, the incredible importance of this date in honoring the lives of all our military, both living and sacrificed. 

Another reason to hold this day deep within our hearts is due to its origin … November 11, 1918.  Such bloodshed and traumatic loss had not been so profoundly experienced before during World War I, at least not in the memories of those who were going through it.  Destruction and loss of life appeared on a massive scale, using technology developed during the burgeoning industrial revolution.  World War I was nicknamed “The Great War,” and for good reason … nearly 38 million casualties, ranking it among the deadliest conflicts in human history.  The war officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”   Perhaps if we could remember that point, someday it might come true.   So be sure to take time on Wednesday, November 11^th, to be thankful for everyone in our military, past, present, and future, for all they go through – the fears, the turmoil, the sacrifices.  Many of us, myself included, could never be so brave.

Of course, like a bow to tie off a package, there’s the national holiday of Thanksgiving.  Family, friends, and lots of great FOOD --to celebrate all that we have to be thankful for throughout the year.  To me, it’s similar to All Souls Day, except that the focus for me is on living people rather than the deceased.  Why?  Because it is so important to honor all our connections.  When we pass from this life, we can’t take anything with us – all we have are the bonds of our relationships.  We take with us the love and memories of the people in our lives, and that’s it.  Yes, we’ll take with us lessons we’ve learned from our earthly journey, but it’s our bonds to others that sustain us.  In mediumship, we often deal with clients (both living and on the Other Side) who discovered those bonds were unfortunately taken for granted, in which death has forced to bring to light.  For this reason, it’s important to reflect on our bonds now – Thanksgiving for the relationships we have – so we don’t feel regret when the inevitable happens.

Ultimately, November is about LOVE.  Love for those who have gone before us; who have made the ultimate sacrifice and faced the ultimate terrors; and for those whose love continues to nurture and sustain us -- a month truly about all the lives for which there can be nothing but Thanksgiving.

So let me say, I am thankful to all of you for allowing me to be of service.  It has truly been an honor.  I look forward to being of service in the years to come.  Happy Thanksgiving!