Given that tomorrow is American Thanksgiving, and that I forgot to write a special post for Canadian Thanksgiving, this seems as good a day as any to post on this topic.
While I have almost always felt grateful for the many blessings in my life, I admit that there are times I forget to find the silver lining, or if I cannot go that far, remember that the sun will rise tomorrow.
When I first read Little Women, the scene where the March sisters give up their Christmas breakfast had such a profound impact on me.
Merry Christmas, little daughters! I’m glad you began at once, and hope you will keep on. But I want to say one word before we sit down. Not far away from here lies a poor woman with a little newborn baby. Six children are huddled into one bed to keep from freezing, for they have no fire. There is nothing to eat over there, and the oldest boy came to tell me they were suffering hunger and cold. My girls, will you give them your breakfasts a Christmas present?
They were all unusually hungry, having waited nearly an hour, and for a minute no one spoke, only a minute, for Jo exclaimed impetuously, I’m so glad you came before we began!
May I go and help carry the things to the poor little children? asked Beth eagerly.
I shall take the cream and the muffins, added Amy, heroically giving up the article she most liked.
Meg was already covering the buckwheat’s, and piling the bread into one big plate.
I thought you’d do it, said Mrs. March, smiling as if satisfied. You shall all go and help me, and when we come back we will have bread and milk for breakfast, and make it up at dinnertime.
I’ve never forgotten that passage, nor the willingness of the sisters to step up. It is a wonderful reminder of the sentiment of Thanksgiving and of the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons ahead.
Lessons learned in books, not in a heavy-handed way, but as part of a story, are some of the best ways for us to learn our lessons. The March girls aren’t noble, but they are good, and it wonderful to think of what we might share with others in our own lives.
I hope you have a wonderful day! In gratitude, Wendy