Bobbi on Giving Thanks Everyday

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food and celebration. It’s about taking a break from your day to day with some football, decadent desserts, cocktails and preparing for the beginning of the holiday season. But giving thanks is so much more than the holiday. It goes beyond a Thursday in November.

Giving thanks has to be a part of your day to day. It’s about stopping and thanking the crossing guard you see everyday while you most likely are on your cell phone. It’s making eye contact with the people at the supermarket, your uber driver, your pizza delivery man. It’s about making sure that the people who can’t afford turkeys have them. (And pumpkin pies too.) It’s bringing turkey sandwiches to the homeless, or serving a hot meal at your soup kitchen. It’s buying an extra can of cranberries to throw into the donation bag. It’s holding a door for someone struggling to get out with their arms full.

I have seen my husband stop in train stations and airports to help travelers with bags twice the size. I have seen him help single moms with babies off an airplane and asking a person who could not see if they needed help crossing the street. It doesn't matter the time of year. It only takes a minute or two to make a difference.

Once I found myself in an office at Barack Obama’s first inauguration with Joe Biden (I was the Biden family makeup artist for both inaugurations) and I watched from a closed circuit TV the president’s celebratory lunch on the screen. Out walks President Obama (to standing applauses) and after a humble smile, he says that first he wants to thank the men and women who worked so hard to make the food and setup possible. He complimented their hard work and long hours, and brought them out for the senate to thank. It was so touching and heartfelt.

This holiday season, and everyday, be aware. Thank your mailman, your waiter, your babysitter, teacher, coworkers, and everybody around you.

And thank you for reading my blog. Here’s to a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Pay it forward. It will return to you.