When my daughter Maddie was in preschool she came home one day with her very own handmade Thanksgiving turkey (see photo) and instructions on how to feed it.
The Turkey, lovingly crafted by Maddie, age 3.
On that day, she set a ritual in motion in our family that we have practiced for years ever since. As friends and family soon discover, anyone who joins us for Thanksgiving will find 3 corn kernels on their empty plate before the meal is served. Each corn kernel represents one thing that we are grateful for and is placed in the handmade turkey as it circulates around the table. Feeding this handmade turkey is all about sharing our gratitude with one another. Each person places a corn kernel in the turkey and shares one thing, person, event they are thankful for, then passes the turkey to the next person until it has gone around the table at least once. As our kids have grown into amazing young adults, their expression of gratitude touches us in ways we could never have imagined. Often there are tears mixed with laughter as we recognize one another and the things that give meaning to our lives.
For our family, this tradition of “feeding the turkey” gives meaning to our time together and is a reminder of all the blessings in our lives. As we begin this holiday, what are you grateful for? And who will you tell?