Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving is tricky this year.

Everyone is making tough decisions
about how and where to celebrate.

It's a year when connecting
virtually
will be more important than ever.

Our last post
encouraged everyone to
Be Kind-Rewind!

Did anyone try it?

I did.

It was difficult.

I tried to write
cheerful messages
to friends with different
political perspectives
 and I kept getting stuck.  

Every attempt
sounded trite
or awkward 
or random
or forced
or just plain
​bizarre.

And then I started thinking,
what am I really trying to say?
I'm trying to say, 
"Thank You"
for being my friend...
"Thank you"
for being part of my family...
"Thank you"
for your contributions to the world...
This is what I appreciate about you.
And then I thought,
"THANKSGIVING!"
Suddenly,
​it made sense.
​Here's what I wrote...

Happy Thanksgiving, ____________!
This Thanksgiving, I just want to let you know that I’m very thankful for you.
I’m thankful for the way you...
I’m thankful for all of the times we....
I’m thankful for how you...
I'm thankful for...
I’m thankful for YOU.
--------
Each message/email I sent started with this thank you format and then, at some point, I included something like this...
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This Thanksgiving message was inspired by a Purple Living Room Project blog post: http://www.purplelivingroom.org/meet-in-the-middle-blog/be-kind-rewind 
You and I don't talk about politics much, but I get the feeling that we might have different opinions on some issues. In a year that has been so politically divisive, it feels important to come together and share what we appreciate about one another. Do you know anyone with a different perspective that you’d like to connect with this Thanksgiving weekend? You’re welcome to copy this message, adapt it, and send it forward.
Thanks again for everything you bring to the world...
Happy Thanksgiving! 

So that's what I've tried. 
I've sent versions of this message
out to several people in my life.

It feels good to focus on
gratitude
and it's wonderful to connect
with friends I haven't seen in a while.
I'm planning to send many
more of these
"Thank You" messages
over​ the coming
Thanksgiving weekend.

Do you want to give it a try?
Consider making this message your own!
Share it with your friends...
let them know what makes you
​THANKFUL
for their friendship.

This Thanksgiving weekend,
even though we 
need to stay
​socially-distanced
and apart,
let's take a few steps
together
and lift each other up.
We can all be thankful
for that kind of
appreciation and support.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

-Jen @ Purple Living Room