Thanksgiving Poems

Thought I'd share this Thanksgiving poem with you.  If you have any Thanksgiving poems, jokes, or ideas, I'd love to hear them!

The Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving
By Edgar Albert Guest

It may be I am getting old and like too much to dwell

Upon the days of bygone years, the days I loved so well.

But thinking of them now I wish somehow that I could know

A simple old Thanksgiving Day, like those of long ago,

When all the family gathered round a table richly spread,

With little Jamie at the foot and grandpa at the head,

The youngest of us all to greet the oldest with a smile,

With mother running in and out and laughing all the while.

It may be I'm old-fashioned, but it seems to me to-day

We're too much bent on having fun to take the time to pray;

Each little family grows up with fashions of its own;

It lives within a world itself and wants to be alone.

It has its special pleasures, its circle, too, of friends;

There are no get-together days; each one his journey wends,

Pursuing what he likes the best in his particular way,

Letting the others do the same upon Thanksgiving Day.

I like the olden way the best, when relatives were glad

To meet the way they used to do when I was but a lad;

The old home was a rendezvous for all our kith and kin,

And whether living far or near they all came trooping in

With shouts of "Hello, daddy!" as they fairly stormed the place

And made a rush for mother, who would stop to wipe her face

Upon her gingham apron before she kissed them all,

Hugging them proudly to her breast, the grownups and the small.

Then laughter rang throughout the home, and, Oh, the jokes they told;

From Boston, Frank brought new ones, but father sprang the old;

All afternoon we chatted, telling what we hoped to do,

The struggles we were making and the hardships we'd gone through;

We gathered round the fireside.  How fast the hours would fly--

It seemed before we'd settled down 'twas time to say good-bye.

Those were the glad Thanksgivings, the old-time families knew

When relatives could still be friends and every heart was true.

````````````````````````````````````````````````

You may want to ask your class to share their memories of Thanksgiving.  I love to hear their stories!!

-------------------------------------------------------

"If you want to feel rich, just count all the gifts you have that money can't buy!"

A Dog's Life

Gail Lorady, one of our favorite SilverSneakers Instructors, has come to VA again!  I learned so much at the new Strong Bones workshop!  I hope we get to bring it to the Richmond area next year!

Gail always has wonderful relaxation segments!  She has an adorable new family member with beautiful soft fur.  This is for Buffy:

A Dog's Life   (Author unknown)

Remember, if a dog was the teacher, you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to great them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

Last but not least:

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.

--------------------------------------------------

Here's a great idea:

Do a challenge where you give Monopoly type money.  You might give $5 every time they come to class, $10 when they call someone who's been absent, $20 when they bring a friend, etc. 

Have a pot-luck and auction.  People can bring white elephant type items to be auctioned off and use their money to buy items they would like.  Local businesses may want to donate items, too!

Exercise Changes Lives!

I want to share this story of how exercise can change a life!!!  The story is called, "Get Moving, Mommy".  Sometimes we need to be reminded that what we are doing makes a difference in lives!!  Here is the linkwww.guideposts.org/hope-and-faith/faith-helps-marion-bond-west-start-exercising-through-arthritis-pain

Enjoy!