Over the river and thru the woods, we go along this way,

To meet up with family, to talk and to laugh, and sing and eat and play.

The season upon us, this time of the year, we look to ring in joy,

Not Christmas, no gift giving, wrapping or bows, to a wanting girl or boy.

The day is Thanksgiving, a day to give thanks, for all we have and know,

To take a good look, around and around, and to let our thanks ebb and flow.

It’s easy to say just a few small words, about what we are thankful for,

But we often forget that there are others about, with neither roof, nor walls nor door.

No shelter, few clothes, less food on their plate, it’s a wonder they can cope,

Without any, and still continuing, one wonders their source of hope.

To rise each day and face the challenge ahead, they do it in and out,

To keep heads up and be able to smile, they do it without doubt.

There are many out there with much less than we have, and whose spirits do not daunt,

Who openly need, with striking necessity, but who don’t clutter their lives with want.

So how does this tie to this season of thanks, this Thanksgiving day of the year,

This day to be grateful, to eat and to drink, to celebrate with laughter and cheer?

What can we all say to one and to all, to show how appreciative we are,

To let the world know with no small display that we’re blessed both near and far?

We need to look up and down and around, to those standing close to us all,

For they are the ones who save us each day and keep us perched upright and tall.

We need to give thanks to the Powers that Be, the Creator of all and of one,

Who gave us the moon and gave our breath, and everything under the sun.

We need to beware that while He creates, that we are in blessed control,

That with our free will and treatment of us, that we touch each other’s soul.

So be grateful be thankful, all the while knowing that while you are thoroughly blessed,

There are others out there who yearn and deserve, while existing on infinitely less.

They’re your neighbors, your friends, the people nearby, the ones you see every day,

They are the strangers in newspapers, the ones on TV, the ones a world and a half away.

Use this time of year, this wonderful season in whatever way that you can,

To remember them in both hearts and prayers, and to love them, your fellow man.