A Month to Give Thanks

November is a special month as we reflect on many ways to be grateful and offer thanks. The two main days people reflect on are Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving. However, this month can be a time to remember that there is something to be thankful for each day. Did you know the month of November has the yummy distinction of celebrating the following:

November 4th was National Candy Day. After all the candy that has been consumed on Halloween, you can continue your sugar high on this day to celebrate your favorite sweet treats. What candy are you thankful for this month?

November 10th was National Vanilla Cupcake Day. If vanilla is not your favorite flavor - think again. You can put so many different types of frosting on a vanilla cupcake, and cupcakes make the perfect one serving size so you can have your own flavor of frosting. The link below provides some information about the cupcake. Yes, be thankful for the vanilla cupcake.

National Vanilla Cupcake Day

November 30th is National Mousse Day. No, not the animal, but the yummy, foamy food that just melts in your mouth. If you are looking for a way to be grateful today, make or find a mousse and just enjoy the dessert. Oh, thank you to the French for the mousse.

Now, on a more serious note, another time to be thankful in November is being grateful for the opportunity to participate in the election process. As Americans, we have the right to vote for any candidate on the ballot, and, more importantly, we have the right to participate in our government. Remember that exercising your voting rights can mean many things. Beyond voting, you can run for political office and/or know the facts about what is happening in your community. Are you aware of the open meetings that take place in your community? Do you know the people who represent your voice in the government? Just remember that as citizens we should be grateful for the opportunity to participate in government and voice our opinion.

Veteran's Day was Friday, November 11th. This is a day to be grateful to all the men and women and their families who have served in the military defending this country and the values for which it stands. Lisle unveiled a new Veterans Memorial located at 4721 Center Street on the corner of Center and School on the campus of The Museums at Lisle Station Park. Thank you to all the men and women who have served this nation.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner on Thursday, November 24th. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians did share a feast to celebrate the autumn harvest that is recognized as the first Thanksgiving. The celebration of Thanksgiving was not a national holiday, although celebrated in individual states, until 1863 when during the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be celebrated in November. It was writer Sarah Josepha Hale (author of "Mary Had a Little Lamb - among other works) who convinced President Lincoln to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November a day of Thanksgiving to heal the nation and comfort the widows of the war. The date of Thanksgiving was moved up one week in 1939 by President Franklin Roosevelt to help holiday shopping sales during the Great Depression. People were not happy with the change and referred to the day as Franksgiving, and in 1941 President Roosevelt moved the holiday back to the fourth Thursday in November.

May you find a reason to give thanks every day this month. May it become a habit that continues with you so that you may find gratitude and thanksgiving in each and every day.

Peace and blessings.