“You may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.” Proverbs

Thanksgiving is a holiday peculiar to the United States.   It’s not a Christian holiday, as many Christians believe.  Nor is it really based on Pilgrims and Native Americans.  It was dedicated as a day of national Thanksgiving by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 following the victory of Union forces over the Confederates at Gettysburg.  But regardless of the history, it’s a good excuse to get together with loved ones and overeat.  And to be Thankful.  How great to have a day to help us focus on gratitude!

So what are you thankful for?

Having just celebrated my 61^st birthday, I can say that I’m thankful for getting old.  And not simply because the alternative isn’t so great!  I admit I had a bit of a challenge with 60, but have come to embrace 61 and beyond.  And here’s why.

Getting older makes me more appreciative.  I enjoy those “little things”, which take on much greater significance.  A beautiful sunrise, a smile from a stranger, the quiet of a walk in nature. 

Getting older also makes me more accepting.  Accepting of what has happened in the past as contributing to where I’m at in the present.  Accepting of myself, especially my imperfections which make me who I am.  And of course accepting of others.  Tolerance for the viewpoints, opinions, beliefs, or lifestyles of others, no matter what they are.  And being able to see them as beautiful and valuable in their own unique way.

Getting older also engenders more wisdom—or at least I hope it does. When we’re younger the emphasis is on education and knowledge.  As we age all of those life experiences give us a unique ability to share with others what we’ve learned from those experiences.  In fact, the ones that were the most painful and unpleasant at the time provide the most fertile pasture for a wise perspective.

Getting older also makes me more grateful for eternity.  One’s own mortality takes on a new meaning.  It’s no longer far away in the distance, but one can see it approaching.  And so one  begins to contemplate more seriously what it will be like to leave this life for the next.  I understand much better now why many people who I ministered to in their later years would express their desire to “go home” or be with God.  The presence of God, which we can experience in part now, makes us long for experiencing it fully in the not so distant future.

There’s more to be grateful for, but I want to go and spend time now with my family, for whom I’m extremely grateful.  Therefore I will wish you a happy Thanksgiving, even if you live in a country that doesn’t celebrate it, and a very joyous holiday season!