While the media tells us all of the things wrong in this world, there is so much to be thankful for every day and particularly this time of year. I try to live a life filled with gratitude year round, but our recent national day of Thanksgiving brings the point home.
In addition to Thanksgiving, we just celebrated my dad's 75th birthday. Joy and gratitude fill my heart as I know I am blessed to still have both of my parents alive and well. Galen Martin was born on Thanksgiving Day in 1941 at home. His father was a farmer and although my dad grew up on a farm, he learned carpentry from his grandfather and worked as a tradesman all his life. Now he is mostly retired, but does small jobs for friends and family and maintains his MHIC license. My dad built his house and a good portion of ours.
Next week, he will head off to another week of volunteerism as he and a group of friends from his church head to North Carolina for a disaster relief project. As a builder and jack-of-all-trades, my dad is often asked to go along on these trips and he rarely declines. All my life, my dad has found time to serve around the country, through the Disaster Relief ministry of his church and locally with Habitat for Humanity.
At this stage in my life, many of my contemporaries have lost one or both of their parents. Just last week, our extended family celebrated the life of Nancy Ely as she claimed her heavenly reward. Nancy and her husband Charlie (who passed away six years ago) were a part of the aptly named "greatest generation." Born during the Depression, they lived simple, hardworking lives. Charlie was a firefighter and after years at home with her children, Nancy went to work at Sykesville Middle School as the secretary. Charlie and Nancy worked hard, went to church, taught their children to love God and country, and served their community. Two of their sons and many of their grandchildren and even a great-grandson went on to join the military.
These two life events, Nancy's passing and celebrating my dad's 75th birthday have me waxing nostalgic. In our Kardashian culture, where people become famous for being famous — or some other convoluted nonsensical reasons — I am grateful for the legacy that I can share with my girls. Having been raised in an intact family with loving parents who taught my brother and I about service is a blessing that I do not take for granted.
Once upon a time, advertising was blamed for making us unhappy. All those TV and magazine ads that were designed to make us want to buy a particular product were supposedly at fault for all the dissatisfaction felt by those that could not afford the newest car, the most fashionable clothing or the loveliest jewelry. Now we blame social media as "everyone else" seems to be enjoying vacations, new technology toys and fabulous mini-vacations with their loving family. Scrolling through Facebook is an easy way to feel jealous of the lives others live.
One of the keys to living a happy and grateful life is to be generous and stay off social media. I certainly have not mastered this. Packing Operation Christmas Child boxes helps children to understand that a few simple toys fit into a shoebox will mean a lot to a poor child who is the recipient. It shows us that all of our "problems" are first-world problems. Just waking up in the morning in a safe, comfortable and cozy bed in a home with running water and reliable electricity puts me (and you) in the top tier worldwide. Join me. During this season of Thanksgiving, family gatherings and the Christmas holiday, let us all honor the legacy of the generations past and live lives full of gratitude and generosity.
Karen Leatherwood writes from Eldersburg. Reach her atleatherwoodkarenm@gmail.com.
