SL04-02 Gathering in the Sanctuary of the Soul Before Gathering Thanksgiving

omorrow is Thanksgiving here in the US.  A time when we gather together with family and friends giving thanks for the abundance and opportunity we have in our wonderful democratic republic.  

I am looking forward to tomorrow’s Thanksgiving holiday.  I hope you are too.  Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far.  Has been to some degree since I was a kid.

Over the years, I have gathered and celebrated Thanksgiving in the home I grew up in, the various homes of friends and neighbors, a parish hall of a church, the homes that I have lived in as an adult, the homes of various family members.

I’ve gathered in Tulsa, New Bedford, Tukwila, Boston, Hudson, New Ipswich, Louisa, Virginia Beach, Huntingdon, Floyd and Palymyra with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving.

I’ve gathered with beloved family members, beloved friends and acquaintances old and new.  I’ve gathered with friends and family of all faiths — Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and those who don’t subscribe to any one in particular or those who let their subscriptions expire long ago journeying along, hoping to find a renewal of faith, always eager to gather and give thanks and gratitude for the abundance we enjoy in our beloved democratic republic.

I’ve gathered with people on the right, on the left, and those just present with no need to pick a side or color.  I’ve gathered with those who support and affirm you, those who like to push your buttons, those who roll their eyes as you are just you, those who love and cherish you being you.

I’ve gathered with many no longer physically present on this earthly journey, with many still present on their earthly journey.  I’ve gathered in person.  I’ve gathered on the phone — you know those friends and family that Thanksgiving, Christmas and their birthday may be the only times you talk to one another.  I’ve gathered on cold Thanksgivings, on mild Thanksgivings where I walked along the beach with only a light sweater on, on rainy dreary Thanksgivings, on sunny bright Thanksgivings.

Each and every Thanksgiving gathering I’ve attended I cherish in my heart.  There may have been tension between some of the hosts and hostesses and attendees and friends and family members.  There may have been differences of opinion, of faith, of what it was each of us were thankful for.  

It’s not the tensions I remember.  It’s not the petty things said, thought, expressed that I remember.  It’s not the food — no gathering was lacking in that.  Nor the drinks or dessert.  It’s not the topics discussed I remember.  It’s not the opinions or politics of the attendees present at each gathering.

What I remember most about each gathering were the moments where I was able to steal away from my ego and tap into my heart energy, my higher self and realize it was in these gathered moments that memories are made, that love is recorded, that the wonder of having an opportunity be it ever so rare to gather with friends, family, and acquaintances and offer thanksgiving each in our own way transcended time, space, here and now, and all our individual differences.  Somehow in that moment, we weren’t just brother, sister, mother, father, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter, or friend.  We were all united by our toddling along, attempting as best we can to express gratitude in this journey and to reflect that great Love from which we all come. 

I hope that you have memories of similar gatherings and similar experiences of the eternal power of love in your life as well.

I thought today’s imaginal prayer, would be one of imaginally gathering with our ancestors, our spirit guides, and those we’ve known in this life who have passed over in spirit to help us prepare for the big celebration with family and friends.