The State of Gratitude

       Our land is arrayed in orange, red, brown, and yellow hues prompting jaw-dropping amazement as we gaze upon leafy decorations splashed against crisp, Fall blue skies.  Autumn colors have reached their peak here, just in time for Thanksgiving.  Too bad it seems that so few will acknowledge the call to thankfulness.
       Maybe it’s because holiday decorations include a Turkey, the fowl that lost the National Bird election to the regal Bald Eagle.  Perhaps some wish to skip Thanksgiving because their favorite football games and the coma-inducing plethora of pigskins have dulled their conscience.  I have been guilty, myself, of referring to the holiday as Turkey Day, a salute to my week in the kitchen and the recipes that focus on turkey, dressing and pumpkin pies.
       Recently, however, my senses were accosted as I shopped.  Television commercials have informed that the colors of the current season are Green and Black – Green for cash and Black for the bottom line that is not red, thus the decision to move Black Friday to Black Thursday or Black Thanksgiving, or Black November.
        Can we not take even a single moment to express our thanks not only for the food on our table daily, but for our families, our health, our very breath and say it directly to the author of all bounty, each goodness, God Almighty? 
        Commercialism is rampant.  We all understand why merchants wish to entice us to launch our Christmas preparations early.
We understand the state of the economy. 
We need to examine our state of gratitude.