11-15-2022 7:08pm

Grateful at Thanksgiving

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S FEATURED ARTICLE - GRATEFUL AT THANKSGIVING

It's that time of year again when we come together to honor Thanksgiving with lots of turkey and stuffing and all the fixings. Don't forget the soft rolls.

I stepped outside Monday night to get some air and it felt crisp under a clear sky. I could feel the shift - the shift into the holiday season. It's such a familiar, cozy feeling. Even the air smells familiar as it fills with the aromas of the season. I love the scent of pumpkin spice candles.

Thanksgiving Day is one of our most beloved national holidays. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. And families everywhere have been celebrating ever since.

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Lately, I've been thinking about feeling thankful and grateful and how those emotions make us feel. They lift us up and bring us to a place inside ourselves where we can find peace. What better time of year to express these emotions. As the energy begins to rise as we prepare to gather on the third Thanksgiving of COVID, let's take some time to be thankful and grateful to all of the people who got us here. We've come far from where we were in 2020 when Thanksgiving was a virtual celebration. It does feel like we're back to some semblance of normalcy, even though we can still connect virtually with loved ones who can't be with us in person.

I think we've learned a lot, and there have been some important takeaways from the past three years. Perhaps we are more empathetic towards each other and less likely to jump to conclusions about people we don't know. Maybe we've taken steps to get more involved in our communities. Maybe that's something you've been wanting to do for a long time, and you've finally done something about it because you know how to manage your time better. I've learned to not take the time I have on this earth for granted. Each day is a new beginning. This time has brought me closer to my faith in God and humanity. It has opened my mind to new ways of thinking and has made me a better woman. Those are some things I'm grateful and thankful for.

As we begin to make arrangements for Thanksgiving, let's take some time to think of others. Visit a food bank in your neighborhood, visit a friend who may not be doing so well, and embrace the people in your life and tell them how thankful and grateful you are for them.

Thanksgiving is one sacred day we honor the abundance in our lives, but it's a lifestyle we can adopt all year long. Thank you.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, Thanksgiving is a great time to try out those recipes that have been passed down for generations in your family. My specialty is sweet potato casserole.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - WHALER'S RESTUARNAT IN BAY SHORE

I went to Whaler's in Bay Shore recently for brunch. This novel restaurant, located at the foot of Maple Avenue, serves up classics with a Korean twist. The ambiance is inviting, and hosts Wayne and Hellen Kappas are warm and friendly. They've combined their talents to create a memorable dining experience. Be sure to have dessert. Their fried dumplings with vanilla ice cream laced with cinnamon will make you wonder why you didn't invent this delicacy. But they did. For more information, visit www.whalersny.com. You'll come back over and over again.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - IN MY LIFE by THE BEATLES

There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever, not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no-one compares with you (ooh-ooh-ooh)
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new (ooh-ooh-ooh)
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more

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I am a columnist with Skylark Live Town News (SLTN) and write articles geared to the 60 and beyond population. Topics include human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to in and around Bay Shore. I also write about restaurants and stores in the area. You can also watch my first Monday-of-the-month vlog, “60 and Beyond with Skylark" on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live, that features topics covered in my articles from SLTN. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel as well as my free STLN newsletter that gets delivered directly to your email each Wednesday morning. To support SLTN, you can make a recurring monthly donation ($5 Friend or $15 Advocate) or a one-time donation of any amount. It's up to you, and it's easy to do on my feed. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. Please follow me on YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live. Thank you for your support.