When you think of Thanksgiving what comes to mind? Family gatherings, watching football, serving others, gathering around the kitchen table for the annual board game competition, or maybe taking time to be thankful for the people and blessings in your life? Usually, Thanksgiving is a time when people typically think about who they are connected to and how those connections count for something.
November 21st through 28th is National Family Week. First Things First, along with thousands of organizations across the country, set aside this time to celebrate the importance of family. The theme for this year is “Connections Count.” Mayor Ron Littlefield and County Mayor Claude Ramsey have issued a proclamation for the week of Thanksgiving to encourage citizens to recognize that when it comes to strengthening families and communities, connections make all the difference. This is an opportunity to honor our own families and thank the special people and organizations in our lives that help us succeed throughout the year.
What are the characteristics of a strong family? Families that find a way to connect with each other on a daily basis, who play together, create an environment in the home where it is safe to share feelings and needs, celebrate milestones in the life of the family, pass on the family heritage, establish or create family rituals and traditions throughout the year, and reach out to other families in need are building the foundation for a strong family.
All of us play a role in strengthening families every day, whether it is the grand-mother or the neighbor who watches children while parents work; a network of friends or the placement center that connects parents to a new job; a place of worship or neighborhood organization that connects the family to others in the community; the community leader or policy maker who rethinks policies, practices, and resources to better benefit families; and the parents who listen to their children and always have time for a big hug.
During the week of Thanksgiving, take time to sit down as a family and identify the people who have helped to make your family strong and discuss ways that your family has helped other families. If your list comes up short, here are a few suggestions:
- Make walking in the Grateful Gobbler Walk sponsored by the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition on Thanksgiving morning a tradition for your family.
- Sit down as a family and establish a new tradition.
- Write thank you notes as a family to people who have made a difference in your life.
- Instead of purchasing gifts, make personalized gifts for the holidays to give friends and family.
- Host a “family dinner” with the families in your neighborhood.
- Select a community issue that is important to your family and ask local elected officials to get involved.
- Commit to scheduling time as a family to play, talk, learn, and grow together.
Without strong family connections it is much harder for families to thrive. Remember that “Connections Count” throughout the year, and families can celebrate those connections every day.
