This Thanksgiving I spent with 7 of the people I love the most. Six more live 700 miles away. Two more live 500 miles. Some of the people I love no longer live on the earth. Some live close by, but are busy with their own children and grandchildren.

I heard a DJ on the radio say that we need to remember that Thanksgiving is a religious holiday. When we say Thanks, it is to someone, and that someone is our God.

Now thank we all our God, with hearts, and hands and voices.
Who wonderous things hath done, in whom the Earth rejoices.
Who from our mother's arms, hath blessed us day by day.
With countless gifts of love, that still are ours today.

I am descended from William Bradford and Alice Carpenter, two of the survivors of the first winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Our first baby was born on Thanksgiving. I can't remember a Thanksgiving when I didn't have plenty to eat, always turkey, rolls and pie. This year we enjoyed produce from our own garden, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, and beets. Everyone chipped in to help prepare the meal. It was great!

My children tease me because I want to start listening to Christmas music in early November, but it makes logical sense. At Thanksgiving I turn my heart to thank God for all of my many blessings. Then my heart turns to the greatest blessing I know that God has given us. That blessing is the Plan of Salvation which is possible because of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

So now, officially,

This is the season, beloved of the year,
Sing a rhyme, Christmastime, soon will be hear,
Tell the true story of Jesus birth,
When as a baby he came to the earth.