Thanksgiving, Being Grateful & Giving Back

Can we talk about what happened to Thanksgiving?

Is it me or does it seem everyone is always just fast forwarding from Halloween to Christmas, and skipping the celebration leading up to good old turkey day?!

Why are we in such a rush to get to Christmas? There have been lights everywhere since the moment Halloween was over. I’m like what, not yet???!!

What happened to Thanksgiving? I mean, think of all the delicious food, am I right?

All jokes aside, last year I was in the middle of all kinds of family drama and we just weren’t in a good place. It was probably the first time we weren’t all together as a family on Thanksgiving, and it broke my heart. Thankfully, we’ve moved past all that nonsense and will be together again this year {JOY}! And thank goodness, because it’s honestly my favorite holiday. Let’s focus, people! Thanksgiving is about family, friends, love, and being thankful for all the blessings we’re so lucky to have. It’s also about giving back to others who might not have it as cushy as we do.

But I’m not gonna go on a big rant about it, so I’ll keep it short and sweet. And hey, I love Christmas like the next person but can we please not rush to get to it? We’ll get there before you know it. So in the meantime, cojelo con take it easy everyone! Enjoy some turkey, count your blessings!

In the spirit of being grateful for what we have and giving back to the community, please consider volunteering your time to one of these amazing non-profit organizations. I am not affiliated with any of these organizations, but I’ve had my own personal experiences and wanted to share below. After you volunteer, you’ll feel all warm inside, and it’s so worth it. Trust me.

I wish you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!

xo Karen

God’s Love We Deliver

I was pregnant in 2009 when I volunteered for God’s Love We Deliver and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’m kicking myself because I can’t find the picture of my group (ggrrrr…but I digress….)

{From their site} — Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses by alleviating hunger and malnutrition. Volunteers help prepare nutritious, high-quality meals for people who, because of their illness, are unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves.

I volunteered to help build housing in Paterson, NJ when I volunteered through HBO with my co-workers in 2012 (yes, that’s me in the middle). They are a global organization and you can sign up to help anywhere.

Habitat for Humanity

{From their site} — Their vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Habitat works toward their vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with people and families in need of a decent and affordable home.

My son is a little too young but I definitely want to expose him to volunteer work when he’s a little older. This volunteer center looks like it might have something for us in Bergen County, NJ – Bergen Volunteer Center — {From their site} — Their programs and services have provided a means for safer environments, self-sufficiency and brighter futures. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, they supported and developed programs that provided low-income families with more opportunities, while giving service-minded individuals a chance to make a difference.