2022 Thanksgiving is for Memories and......

Historically Thanksgiving has Always Been for Memories 

Taking your child or Grandchild out for their first Christmas tree cutting, is definitely one of those grand memories. 

And if your mail person is a kind one, perhaps their first sit in the mail truck, engine off of course and emergency brake on. 

I'm sure you can think of a few dozen more, such as their birth, then their first Birthday, and so on. 

Memories is why we give thanks to our families and friends and those special moments. But Thanksgiving dinners and gatherings can as well be about, what those memories can foretell to a degree about our futures. Our futures become a live topic all the day long on Thanksgiving, and for days after. Planning ahead, at least in our thoughts about what might become of our family and our extended families. Will a member stay local or move to a far off location? Perhaps college or university life beckons, or a new opportunity for a job, or a new career opens up or retirement sends us off to a warmer location.

I like spending time ahead of Thanksgiving thinking about these possibilities before the day of, so I can open up conversations, once our company has had the chance to settle in and perhaps after a game or before, but certainly not immediately and certainly not in a manner that is argumentative.  There are times for that type of approach. Thanksgiving is the time for bringing out older family photo albums, or connecting from phone to tv, digital photo frames running, perhaps sharing photos on your device with others. There are so many more ways today to share our treasured pictures. I have been known to bring out any special items that belong to a focused family members keepsakes to share and for family members to hold and treasure during their visit. Mementos are a gift to as much or more than photos depending upon the significance. I hold dear my Grandfathers Fire Chief badges and ribbons as well as my Father's war photos, his career photos and his wallet with items still inside. 

Here's hoping you will have these opportunities for both memories and future thoughts during this very special day.

Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for reading

If there's a lag in conversation and you prefer another shared experience, take a jump to my website

Veteran's Day November 11th Every Year

On Friday, Nov 11th we Give Thanks to all who Have Served in Defense of our Country

Memorial Day is the day we honor those military personnel who have sacrificed their lives. But we can, if you choose, honor both on both days. However it is best to remember which day represents the proper soldiers.  Memorial Day on May 30th (last Monday in May every year), and Veteran's Day on November 11th (every year).

It's always an honor to be told "Thank you for your service" no matter where I am. I was walking in a grocery store yesterday, when a man walked up to me, reached out his hand to shake mine, and used that phrase. I realized a second later it was doubtless because of my military ball cap I had just purchased a week ago at an Military Exchange store. Not why I bought it, and I will be aware on the next occasion I wear it of what to expect, perhaps.

So even though I'm not suggesting you shake the hand of everyone wearing a military cap, you might get a renewed sense of just how many we see as we are doing our daily duties outside of work. And knowing that, we might also get a sense of the vast number of those who have served, we can't recognize, without their cap. There are many. Some of which, too many in fact, who live alone, or don't have friends who might call or visit to just spend time together. And their are still the numbers of homeless vets out there.

For any of those Veterans you have in your family and extended family and friends, make it a mandate that you at least say hi, with a call, a text, an email or better yet, a visit to see them. You don't have to bring up war stories. But you might celebrate their service with that oh so common phrase again, " I just wanted you to know I appreciate your time the military and what you've done for all of us here at home, or something similar.

There are many other ways to say thank you too. A meal, a day invited over to your home, a walk, a movie, a game, a gift of any appropriate category. Because my specialty is photography I get to choose from my own portfolio. The best to you and your veteran 

1-rich-collins.pixels.com/

  

 

About my Photographic Art and Digital Image Rights

Purchase of digital image rights from any of my images for commercial use 

In making available digital rights managed image files I keep the rights managed part very simple. In offering digital rights use I assign cost to use on your end. Contact me with a question about a digital rights need or add comments below any photos you view or purchase. A few examples and a link to my website

If you're new here, click to Subscribe to the latest post

Contact me here: https://1-rich-collins.pixels.com/controlpanel/contactinformation?refresh=true