getting ready for Thanksgiving

I woke up yesterday morning, wondering how I was going to get everything done. For the first time in many years, I am cooking on Thanksgiving. First, I'm having all my kids, their boy/girl friends, my daughter-in-law, grandchildren, my ex-husband and his new girlfriend for brunch AFTER I play for Mass at the Sisters' in the morning. Then, I'm hosting dinner for my dear college friend and a male friend of hers whom she'd like me to get to know. (We met briefly and he was very nice. My friend said he WAS excited when she told him I was cooking...I asked her if she'd told him to bring antacids!) So many details! So many lists! So much to do! Am I insane? Yikes! Maybe I'd better lay in a supply of frozen pizzas in case I drop the eggs or if the turkey burns!

Today, I'm thinking about my clients. How many of them will not be able to afford such banquets of food, or even a tiny bit of food, for that matter, on Thanksgiving? Blessedly, our clients generally have enough food because they get food stamps but others who haven't signed up for that program will be hungry. Satisfying hunger cannot wait...people can starve while they're waiting. I just heard yesterday that many restaurants here are opening their doors on Thanksgiving to serve free meals to the public. I pray that those who are starving will find them. If they do, at least, for one day, they won't be hungry.

I've been told that hunger in the US is not really true starvation. It's true we DO have good programs to get food to people. And, when I think about it, I don't believe I ever hear of people starving to death here for lack of food. In comparison, people in Third World countries really do starve to death. We must do more to help them...to begin, maybe we can fast on Friday as a small sacrificial offering? I'm going to try very hard not to overeat on Thanksgiving, too. When I think about it, there really is no point to doing that.

Thank You, Lord, for the food You provide. Help us to appreciate this gift.