Safe Travels and Giving Back

As they say, "early bird gets home sooner...?"

I'm headed home for Thanksgiving this morning, and I hope you're all enjoying this week off from school and work, where it's socially acceptable to eat more than what's normal. The funny thing about Thanksgiving is that it encourages us as Americans to indulge on a day that serves as a reminder to be thankful for all we have, while others live in poverty.

My favorite side of Thanksgiving (other than candied yams...punny!) is the one that brings about hundreds of volunteers flooding local shelters, soup kitchens, food drives, and other various community service organizations. I'm most thankful for those of you who have answered the calling of service, whether it is to your country or to the local shelter where you can bring some holiday cheer and love. I will be enjoying family time on Thursday, but Friday my parents and I will have the chance to bring Thanksgiving cuisine to our friends at the local VA hospital. I'm not going to lie, I'm more excited for that -- it's a potluck. Just kidding, it is because I enjoy visiting with our friends there more than anything else. With board games, conversation, laughter, and homemade food, Friday with our wounded warriors will be a wonderful time celebrating life and our gratitude for the gift of one more day.

I encourage you all to give thanks -- and then give back! How are you spending your Thanksgiving Break? What are you thankful for this year?

Safe travels this week!!