November is the month that ushers in the festivities of the holidays. It is a month of thanksgiving. We think of all the things we are grateful for. For the blessings we have received throughout the year. For the bounties of the harvest. It is a month of reflection.
Being grateful changes the heart! It allows us see others in a new light. We show more kindness. We consciously look for ways to provide service. We smile more. We forgive more. We give more. We are more thankful.
A couple of years ago, on a Thanksgiving weekend, we had our family Christmas party. Out of town children stay the entire weekend so I like to plan something a little extra special.This particular year I made "service angels" out of card stock and had family members go on a treasure hunt until they found the treasure trove of angels at the end of the hunt. Each received a stack of service angels and were instructed on how to use them. The weekend was to be spent looking for opportunities to serve each other. With that service, they could either leave the angel secretly at the place of service or write a note of love and appreciation with the angel.
It was fun watching the focus of the weekend center on service. Heart's were turned to each other as thoughtful words and acts of kindness were heard and seen throughout the next few days.
One morning I made pancakes. A grand daughter asked if she could help.
"Did you hear that bell ring? Every time a bell rings, an angel gets her wings."I was delighted that Nicole offered her help. She poured the batter on the griddle. I cooked the bacon and scrambled the eggs. After all were served and I was about to sit down and eat, I was given a plate of heart pancakes and a note of love and appreciation from this grand daughter that had just so willingly helped her grandmother out.
It made my heart swell and I loved her even more!
Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop
