The Real Essence Of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is filled with amazing aromas that trigger memories of days gone by. Remembering those childhood days at my grandparents and the sights and sounds of a bustling kitchen. The smell of the turkey roasting in the oven as it mixes with the smells of the cranberries, mashed potatoes, carrots, fruit salad, and pumpkin pie. The sound of laughter and banter from aunts and uncles, parents, grandparents, and cousins. Thanksgiving Day is truly a uniquely American holiday that combines food and drink with family and friends. We all get lost in the smells, sights, and sounds of the day but most of us fail to grasp the real essence of Thanksgiving. Well beyond the tastes of food and the football games there lies a core centerpiece to Thanksgiving. That centerpiece is celebrating the fruits of your labor for the year past and giving thanks to God for all of the rich blessings that have been bestowed on us. The core values of hard work and self-determination make the bountiful har