gratitude

Walking Thankfulness - An Interview with Martha Jane Patton

by Opal South | November 15th, 2009
Janet Elizabeth Simpson's Image

It’s that time of year again.  

When I was growing up my mother relished the fall season for its dinner-time activity of proclaiming at least one thing for which we were each thankful.

On my drive to the Legal Aid Society office in downtown Birmingham on a Monday morning, I practiced this myself.  Sure the weather was a little gloomy, but I was thankful that the trees were finally acknowledging autumn with their pumpkin- and berry-colored leaves.  Sure it could have been sunny and warm like it had been at Moss Rock all weekend, but the Tide had eked out victory over LSU.  So, Mom, here was my list: I am thankful for fall leaves and Julio Jones.
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Janet's Letter About Gratitude

by Janet Elizabeth... | November 14th, 2009
Janet Elizabeth Simpson's Image

Yeah, so, it's that time of year again.  Traffic will start backing up on 280 from either direction into the Summit.  I-459 will suddenly become impassible.  Drivers will get mean.  Wrecks will get nasty.  It will take you 30 minutes to get onto the ramp in Hoover from Highway 31.  I'll gain 4 pounds.  It's okay because I'll lose it in January, but I know it's coming -- just when I want to look my best.  And plans will become a headache.  So many things to do!  Oh, bah!

But really, that's not me.   All that stuff in the first paragraph is the voice of the collective groan of our culture, ready to revolt against the holidays as soon as Halloween passes us by and KMart Christmas commercials flood the TV breaks.  It's too early.  All meaning is lost.  And what about Thanksgiving?  It's this stupid holiday where we celebrate stealing this land and massacring its natives!  How can we righteously celebrate anything at all!?! Read more...