At our extended family Thanksgiving dinner for the Jones clan yesterday, I received a couple really neat ideas for young families.
1. My niece, Pat, and her family who hosted this year and did a great job, have a tradition called the Thanksgiving box. Each year, each member of the family writes down the thing or things they are most thankful for on a piece of paper with their name and the year. Then they put it in a special box labeled “The Thanksgiving Box” and save it. Then in following years, if the family wishes, they can look at what each person gave thanks for. It provides a kind of family history of Thanksgiving.
2. My nephew, Doug, and his family have a different variation on the same idea. They have a designated Thanksgiving tablecloth that is only used on Thanksgiving. Each year they get out markers and each family member writes on the tablecloth what they are thankful for. Then they have Thanksgiving dinner using that tablecloth. This idea sounds like a real children’s delight to me.
I thought these were wonderful ideas to help children participate in the true meaning of the Thanksgiving holiday and build family togetherness at the same time. .
Thanksgiving is one of the great holidays of the year. These days when so much is determined by commercial value, it is being swallowed up between Halloween and Christmas. I will do my best to see that never happens because Thanksgiving has so much to contribute to our lives.
So the question is how do we keep Thanksgiving real and prevent it from going by in a blur between November busyness and Black Friday shopping sprees. Here are my suggestions.
Don’t let the busyness of the season crowd out the family dimension. Thanksgiving is still one of the holidays of the year most associated with family togetherness. Let’s take advantage of that by sharing activities together in addition to the meal.
Decorate for Thanksgiving, not just for fall or Christmas. Even if you are starting to put Christmas things up afterwards, let the Thanksgiving table decoration remain for a few days to remind everyone.
We also must remember the sacred dimension of the season. Thanksgiving requires that we humble ourselves before God and honor the bounty of his hand, both spiritual and physical. Thanksgiving is an attitude commanded for all seasons anyway so in this season we remind ourselves of those commands and we take special care to practice them. “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Ps. 107:1 NIV). “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts” (Ps 105:1-2 NIV). This leads to two more suggestions.
Attend a service at your church that is especially set aside to celebrate Thanksgiving. Our service is tonight at 7 pm.
At your Thanksgiving Table, take time to give thanks to God by sharing things you are thankful for and then having a prayer of thanksgiving. Many families go around the table quickly before the table grace and have each one share one thing they are thankful for.
Another dimension of true thanksgiving is generosity. If we are truly thankful to God for all that we have, we will want to share with others. So another great part of every Thanksgiving is giving. I wonder if Christmas would be as powerful in giving if it were not preceded by Thanksgiving. So more suggestions come to mind.
At Thanksgiving, share with someone locally who is in need. Many local churches give baskets to those in need. I also highly recommend the Syracuse Rescue Mission at http://www.rmsyr.org/Home/Main_Page.htm.
Help someone in the third world. We in the United States have so much that our Thanksgiving should overflow to help others in our big world who suffer. I recommend World Hope at https://www.worldhope.org/.
I went to the funeral service for Sergeant Ed Bolen of Chittenango today. As I was leaving the cemetery, I saw a reporter interviewing a young man, asking his thoughts. It started me thinking. What would I have said if it had been me being interviewed? Why was I there at that graveside?
Well, I was there to be a support to some of Sergeant Bolen’s extended family members who attend our church and whom I know very well. But as I reflected, deep inside, there was clearly even more to it than that. Even without that connection, I think I would have wanted to be there. For I felt somehow compelled to express something else to this young widow and her family. I, along with many others who came, sensed it was our chance to express to all the families of the Sergeant Bolen’s of our country how we feel.
First of all, the words seem so inadequate, but, “THANK YOU!”
We are grateful for all the sacrifices that military persons and their families make to serve our country. But this sacrifice that we commemorated today is the ultimate patriotic gift, laying down one’s very life to defend the way of life and the freedoms that have been handed down to us from our forefathers—freedom of worship, freedom of the press, freedom to assemble, freedom to travel, representative government, a viable court system, and so much more. As much as it is difficult for us to accept, our country has enemies who hate us, who seek to destroy us and other innocent lives with us. Since this is so, we desperately need those brave men and women like Sergeant Ed Bolen who will stand up with courage and confront the enemy for us. I was there to say from all of us – one more time, Thank you!
I was also there to say, “I will pray for you!”
As my wife and I went through the line speaking with family members we knew and those we did not know last evening, this was our encouragement, “You are in our prayers,” or, “Our church has been praying for you.” Our church maintains a large lighted picture frame at the back with pictures in it of those related to attendees who are serving in the military. We have them there to remind us to pray for them. Often in Sunday services we and many other churches pray especially for those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. We had been praying for Ed Bolen too. I was there at his services to say that we will continue to intercede for his wife, Andrea, and his Mom, Janine, and their extended family.
Finally, I wanted to help say, “We will be there for you.”
In their hour of grief, in their time of trial, this family needed to know we stood with them. I noticed with joy, for example those who stood by doorways, in halls, and by the graveside with large flags– bikers, young moms, veterans, just people like you and I who wanted to be there with this family and support them. Community support was obvious; even the school had closed for one day; every person there added their voice. All kinds of volunteers and civil servants had gathered to sing from our hearts without words as one big choir expressing in unison. “We want to be here for you in any way we can. When you need a friend, you are not alone, we will be there!”
I found a great video clip that tells the story of Francis Asbury. Asbury was an early Methodist leader in the colonies, sent by Wesley himself, and ultimately responsible for the explosive growth of early Methodism. His sacrifice and zeal for reaching people with the good news of Jesus serves as an example for all of us still. Whenever I am reminded of his story as this video does, I am inspired to “never be lacking in zeal (Ro. 12:11)” but always have a vision for what God wants to do in this world. It is no wonder that so many things in our country have his name. I only pray that we would first and foremost revere his God.
This railroad museum we didn’t just run into, but found on the maps and in the guidebook. Near the end of our recent summer vacation, we decided to stop on our way back toward Seattle to see Snoqualmie Falls in WA (http://snoqualmiefalls.com/). It is an impressive cataract, higher than Niagara. The viewpoint park was under reconstruction so we could not quite see it to best advantage. In addition, the water was lower in August, so it did not show the power it would have in the spring. But it still was very impressive.
On our way out to the falls, there were two tracks of old railroad equipment collected by the museum there, including numerous engines. So JoAnne hung out at the falls park while I returned to the train museum. A few pieces had been restored. Many others were awaiting attention. One of the most unique engines, in my view, was parked in the back where it could not be seen very well. It was a large tank engine. One usually thinks of tank engines as being smaller. However, the curator at the museum answered that in the West larger tank engines were not that uncommon. Near the museum grounds was an example of the logs that where originally cut there. As you can see from the picture, it was huge. You would think it was a redwood but it was not, it was just a big spruce.
The depot itself was impressive and very well preserved. Behind it was an old building, originally a lodge building, currently holding a restaurant/bar. It had been preserved too and was fascinating inside. I had a glass of Snoqualmie Root Beer on-tap there. There was a mount of a mountain lion in the corner and a chromed wood stove. The old bar still had water running in the trough spittoon at its base. I could only imagine how gross it must have been when that was actually in use.
Friday, October 8, JoAnne and I visited Willard Clock Museum (http://www.willardhouse.org/) near North Grafton, Massachusetts. The museum is in the original family homestead, a pioneer-era, hand-hewn beam framed complex of buildings. The buildings themselves helped one to step back in time and get the feel for the era. What a tremendous display of fine early American craftsmanship, industry and inventiveness awaited inside the decidedly unpretentious exterior. I recommend it. What a great stop for investigating the early milieu of greater Boston.
beautifully preserved colonial room
Four Willard brothers and their immediate descendants were the clockmakers. Benjamin the eldest built tall clocks exclusively, some still working today, second hands included. He used brass etched faces that he hired an engraver to do for him. I admired the woodwork; but the brothers did not do that themselves, usually. Brother Simon invented banjo clocks. A copy of the patent is on display showing signatures by then President Thomas Jefferson and secretary of state, James Madison. Simon made one displayed clock with a silver face, which was formed for him by Paul Revere. The third brother, Ephriam also has clocks on display. The last brother, Aaron was the businessman of the family and had a factory in Roxbury. The business continued three generations until a grandson of one brother moved to California and made a fortune in the gold rush.
shows the craftsman furniture and clock displays
In the workshop we saw the hand machines used to cut gears. The newer one was turned by a foot pedal. All the gears were filed to a point by hand. We could see why one clock might take six months or more to make. Also displayed in the workshop was an example of the workings of a large tower clock such as the brothers would have made for church clock towers or government buildings.
JoAnne and I commented that so few things are even attempted in our day that take a long time to make. We do not have the time or patience for it. It is one of the weaknesses of our present cultural mindset . But I also could not help but reflect upon the legacy of their craftmanship. Because of their skill, care and patience, people are still admiring their work and preserving it, centuries later. I think sometimes the best done work is not rewarded quickly; but is increasingly admired over the long term.
It’s October and the Major League Baseball play-offs are beginning already. It reminds me that I was happy to attend the last home game for the Chiefs this summer. By now, I’ve forgotten the score, but I remember the atmosphere and the good feeling of being at the ball park. I think about it as I watch the Yankees beat the Twins on TV. As good as TV coverage is, it’s just not the same as being there. When you are in the stadium, you feel part of the action and part of the team’s extended family—its fans. When you like baseball, there’s just something about being at the park watching. The field was immaculately groomed. I love the new real grass field. The food was great–white hots are the best deal and they were super. I bought a new cap to advertise that I’m a fan. And it turned out to be fireworks night too, which I didn’t know when I went. (I looked the game on the website. The Chiefs beat the Redwings 7-3 on 9-2-10) It’s always nice if the team wins. But you want to be there anyway whether they do nor not. I took a few snapshots that turned out okay considering the level of camera I use.
I started thinking – dangerous, I know. I hope people who identify themselves as Christians feel like they want to be at church too—like they want to be in on the action; like they are part of an extended family, because they are. They are on Christ’s team. Whether it’s a big Sunday in the church schedule or an ordinary one, whether the pastor hits a home run with his sermon or strikes out, I hope they are just glad to be in God’s house; sensing His presence, offering their own praises, saying their own prayers encouraging others, and generally adding to the excitement of the moment by being there. It’s what fans do. And some morning – just anytime –there might turn out to be fireworks of a different kind – a time when God makes his presence known in a special way to you or to the congregation. You’ll forget most everything else about that service, but not your own encounter with God. And you will want more of those touches.
JoAnne and I have been back from our vacation for almost a month already. We’ve been extending the fun by enjoying all the pictures we took. Love this digital age where you can take hundreds without paying a mint for film and developing; just click away, dump them onto the laptop each evening and go back out and fill the camera again. In just a little over two weeks, JoAnne and I took about 1000 pictures. So JoAnne has made up one slide show, a shorter one, and also a file of shots she wants to use for her painting hobby. In addition to my blog galleries, I’ve chosen one for the desktop of each of my computers.
Needless to say, there are lots that have not surfaced here and won’t. However, I thought you might like to see just a few more– a “Best of Glacier” selection. I’ll try not to repeat shots form Logan pass or the animal article. Glacier National Park was really the highpoint of our trip. I was glad we traveled there last; I think it is best to save the highpoint (pardon the pun) until last.
One of the fascinating sidelights of our visit to Glacier National Park was the ubiquitous red tour bus. Since I was driving my own rented vehicle, I did not actually get to ride one, but we usually saw them parked with us at various points of interest. One’s first impression when you see them is, “How do they dare run an antique vehicle up these mountains?” Then you discover that they have been refurbished beautifully. Even the interior work is excellent. Ford Motor Company did the remodeling job. They add a unique element to the park that somehow complements in time frame and style the grand lodges of the park which were completed in the early twentieth century. This link is about riding in them. http://glacierparkinc.com/tour_detail.php?id=1
They have become a cultural icon in themselves in the park. The drivers are called “jammers” from the old days when the vehicles had manual transmissions rather than the automatics of today. Even a local root beer is named for the buses. I drank a bottled of it and peeled the label off for a souvenir.
A modeling company (The Open Top Bus Company) has produced an O scale model of the 1936 White Tour bus # 706. (White is the name of the company that made them, not the color.) Being an O gauge railroad buff on the side, of course, I had to have one. This link details the history of the vehicles. http://www.fomentek.com/opentop_history.htm
Few things say Americana quite like a fair in August. When I was a boy, I was in 4-H and since I lived on a dairy farm, my project was raising dairy cattle. Each year we showed the cattle at the fair. I was assigned to care for them; so I literally lived at the fair, sleeping in the hay by the cattle, for the week of the Bath fair, one of the oldest fairs in the US (http://steubencountyfair.org/).
JoAnne also reminded me that one of our very first dates, the first summer we met, was to the Bath fair. Later we started visiting the NY state fair, beginning a tradition for us that continues today (http://www.nysfair.org/). One of my favorite stops is the Agricultural Exhibit Building. And one of our favorite things about it is the way it features old time skills and crafts that are being lost today.
This year I was fascinated by a young man, David Salvetti, who was showcasing the old-time cooper’s trade. He was fashioning a wooden bucket. The conversation moved to whether or not the bucket would leak. I suggested that the swelling of the wood in water would seal it. He instructed me that if it was well made, it would not leak without relying on the swelling of the wood; and that if it were shoddily made, it would leak even with the swelling and he quickly and clearly showed me why. I was very impressed. David, who hails from Oswego, NY, is only 19, is self-taught, and his cooper work and knowledge of his craft is way more advanced than his age. I asked if I could take some pictures to show you Americana lovers.
