There's a certain sense of quietness that I am quite protective of especially during this time of the year. The holidays are descending upon us. As if under a delirious spell people dash here and there as if mad. The things people say and do are more contradictory now than at any time of the year. Commercials announce that buying a new Honda will guarantee a great Christmas. Toys R Us flash toys in front of children so that all they can think about is what they don't yet have. Church marquees announce peace on earth and joy to the world, but adults are stressed over work, relationships and wants. Banks offer refinancing specials in order to give you more cash for the holidays. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year will soon be playing on radio stations as people wait outside in line on Black Friday for shops to open and then push and shove their way into the store to grab what they want. Seriously?
There's a show on CBS called Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck. It's a story about a family of New York City cops. Last week's show was their Thanksgiving episode. The grandfather and daughter-in-law were in the kitchen making Thanksgiving dinner. Grandfather said that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday, because there was no pressure to buy gifts; family could just spend time together and eat.
I agree. Thanksgiving is the national dinner party day. Families from California to Maine will cook a big meal with side dishes outnumbering the main dish seven to one (if not more). The host home will be crowded with people and infused with so many aromas that pets go crazy waiting for scraps.
But it's a festive time. When the turkey is done and the table is set, that's when the hustle and bustle comes to a halt. When there's so much to eat that your plate can't hold everything, when you're sitting with people you love and care about; it's a good setting for giving thanks.
Giving thanks is something I don't want to lose sight of...and that sense of quietness (meaning an undisturbedness from the holiday chaos). 
We don't have Thanksgiving in Australia although my children and I have a "Thanksgiving Dinner" at this time of the year. (although it's definitely not as big as American Thanksgiving celebrations!) I think it's the one tradition we should really adopt wholeheartedly.
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