Happy Thanksgiving from Iroquois Springs

This is the week I get to dust off the “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” DVD, get cozy with the kids, and watch Snoopy whip up a Thanksgiving dinner of popcorn, candy and other treats for the Peanuts gang.  I love this tradition in our house, and getting ready for a day filled with family and friends, to eat, give thanks and celebrate being together.  In light of recent events, there are many families that may be feeling frazzled and unable to focus on the joy of the holiday.  Thoughts of rebuilding homes and lives after much loss and hardship may be the focal point this holiday season.  Many families may not have the luxury of watching their favorite Thanksgiving Day show or enjoying a home cooked meal in their own kitchen….but Thanksgiving may be a nice reprieve to take a moment to be thankful for what they do have and the people who love and support them.  It’s not always easy to feel thankful in times of hardship, but being thankful in hard times is what Thanksgiving is all about.  H. U. Westermayer wrote “The pilgrims were impoverished and struggled through much hardship, but they set aside a day for giving thanks, a day that has become our Thanksgiving”.  This Thanksgiving may be quite different from what was ever imagined, but taking a moment to appreciate things like our health, family, friends, jobs….can go a long way in times of struggle. 

The spirit of Thanksgiving is also about giving…showing gratitude for your good fortune and giving to those who are less fortunate.  Gratitude instills feelings of hope, inspiration and forgiveness.  And this year has been exceptional, with so many individuals and organizations from all over giving back by donating, volunteering, and providing support to those who have fallen on hard times. This has been a moment in time when children have considered the world outside their reality and developed greater empathy and compassion.  We have all learned a lot from Hurricane Sandy and can feel grateful for the lessons learned.  Because at the end of the day, houses will be rebuilt and lives will return to normalcy, but the lessons will exist far beyond the repairs.  This Thanksgiving, I think we all have a greater appreciation for what we have as well as what we can give back. 

We hope that all of our campers are thankful for so many things, but especially their amazing camp friends…counselors that make the camp experience so special….being a part of the Iroquois Springs community…how safe camp makes you feel…and most importantly taking part in the Project Morry Swim-a thon and allowing others to enjoy the camp experience.  We are thankful for all our camp families and wish you all a safe, happy, and healthy Thanksgiving. 

 “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action”.     W. J. Cameron