On Thanksgiving Day, millions of people will gather around their dining room tables to give thanks for all the blessings we enjoy in this life. In the course of being thankful, the average person will consume over 3,000 calories at a meal. As a nation, we will put away over 50 million pumpkin pies , 736 million pounds of turkey—the weight of the Empire State building!—and 40 million green bean casseroles. . And of course, we’ll watch a lot of football.

Thanksgiving, of course, is more than just food and football. It’s about being grateful for what we have. Our families and friends. Our jobs. Our homes. Daily provisions. Freedom. The list goes on and on.

However, being thankful may not be so easy for those who may have lost a job, become ill,  experienced a business failure, or lost a loved one.

In those situations it is difficult, yet not impossible to be thankful.  Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker (The Color Purple) once wrote, «‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.»

In any situation, at any time, giving thanks is one of the best things you can do for yourself. This Thanksgiving, we at Forest Lawn extend our best wishes and thanks to you and yours who have put your trust in us during your time of need.