Remember to Share This Thanksgiving

Haven’t enjoyed my walks in the field too much lately ‘cause I know when I get back inside I’ll be spending precious minutes picking beggar’s lice off my clothes from head to foot. Those things even stick to the dog’s coat and the leash and ultimately to the rug on the back porch. Good thing I enjoy sweeping.

Following is a poem for this season that I hope you will take to heart, and think about it, not just during Thanksgiving, but all year long.

A Good Thanksgiving

Annie Douglas Green Robinson

Said Old Gentleman Gay, “On a Thanksgiving Day,

If you want a good time, then give something away.”

So he sent a fat turkey to Shoemaker Price,

And the shoemaker said, “ What a big bird! How nice!

And, since such a good dinner’s before me, I ought

To give poor Widow Lee the small chicken I bought.”

“This fine chicken, oh, see!” said the pleased Widow Lee,

“And the kindness that sent it, how precious to me!

I would like to make someone as happy as I-

I’ll give Washerwoman Biddy my big pumpkin pie.”

“And, oh, sure!” Biddy said,”’tis the queen of all pies!

Just to look at its yellow face gladdens my eyes!

Now it’s my turn, I think; and a sweet ginger cake

For the motherless Finigan children I’ll bake.”

“A sweet cake all our own! ‘Tis too good to be true!”

Said the Finigan children, Rose, Denny, and Hugh;

“It smells sweet of spice, and we’ll carry a slice

To poor little lame Jake-who has nothing that’s nice.”

“Oh, I thank you and thank you!” said little lame Jake;

“Oh, what a bootiful, bootiful, bootiful cake!

And oh, such a big slice! I will save all the crumbs

And will give ‘em to each little Sparrow that comes!”

And the Sparrows, they twittered, as if they would say,

Like Old Gentleman Gay, “On a Thanksgiving Day,

If you want a good time, then give something away!”

I wish you all the warmth of tradition and family that this time of Thanksgiving brings. Remember and be thankful for even the smallest blessings of your life.