BY AKWELE

On this beautiful fourth Thursday in November, we give thanks and indeed we give thanks everyday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday; talk about family, friends and food. Thanksgiving could not get any better.
It is a time of re-union, reflection, socializing. What better time to have fun? Family comes from far and near. From Alaska to Hawaii, Maine, California, Massachusetts, Mississippi. Lost friends, new friends, people not seen in ages. A time away from work and school. A time to relax. A time to enjoy good food. I sure love to cook. I hear things like “tastes good” after people eat the succulent waache that I fix. Family and friends all participate in preparing the meals. This is all a team effort. All these activities come with great stories too. Cousin Ama tells the story of the man with so many children, when he had something good to eat, he would wait till they all went to bed before he ate because he knew he just could not share with all of them. “Where is the bird?” The turkey is not done yet. The phone rings. “Happy thanksgiving!” they go. People are thankful for one thing or other, good health, family, friends, children and jobs. I would like to borrow a quote from the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “as we express our gratitude, we must not forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” Need I mention drinks? You name it, you got it. Oops! The dance. Cousin Mary “opens the floor” to her favorite music apouskeleke. My, she really knows how to get down. She is joined by enthusiasts. What a day! We applaud them for their efforts. The beat goes on.
This Thanksgiving, reach out and touch those without, both at home and abroad. Those with nothing to eat and nowhere to go. Thanksgiving is incomplete without everyone enjoying a meal. When you fix jollof rice, kenkey, fufuo, okro soup, tuo and the likes, please make doubles of them so you can share with people who could not have a get together. We should also try our best to help out our brothers and sisters at home who are in need.
If you drink, do so responsibly so you will be able to find your way home. My thanksgiving wish this year is that nobody starves. I hope you will all be ab to share positive things you do to impact peoples’ lives during Thanksgiving and everyday. I wish my “forum folks” A HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Drive Safely.