1 : conscious of benefit received <for what we are about to receive make us truly thankful> 2 : expressive of thanks <thankful service> 3 : well pleased : glad
A lifetime ago, when I was in college - before email, even - I would get such a thrill when I went to my mailbox and saw mail in there for me. I also rememember well the overwhelming disappointment upon looking through the little glass window and realizing that the box was empty.
"Doesn't anyone miss me?" I thought. "Don't they know how lonely I am, away from home, my family, my friends?"
In fact, I will admit to being so desperate for mail that I actually signed up for junk mail. Yep, I was that pitiful. Sad, isn't it?
Yet, not as sad as this: sacrificing everything you have for your country ~ and being forgotten. Being thousands of miles away from everything you've ever known, risking life and limb for millions of strangers, and not being remembered.
Hopefully today you are reflecting on the many blessings in your life and expressing gratitude for them. Please, take a moment to let our troops know that you are thankful for their service. There are some awesomely simple ways to do this RIGHT NOW.
Xerox has a cool site here, where you can send a free printed postcard to the troops. The cards feature art work by children and they are wonderful! Just a few clicks and a card is sent letting a member of the military know how thankful you are for their service.
If postcards aren't your style, then consider a care package. give2thetroops.org was started by the wife of a sargeant in the Marine Reservists when he was deployed to Iraq in 2002. What began in her tiny basement has grown into a nationwide network to send boxes full of these items. And though you may not be in a position to donate any of these items, small monetary donations through paypal or a credit card to cover shipping charges are greatly appreciated as well.
These are but two of the many organizations reaching out to our troops. There are more who are both worthy of and responsible with the donations they receive. Take a moment to find one today.
Happy Thanksgiving.
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