By Darla Stover
The literal definition of grateful is feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; to be thankful. The staff, volunteers and families at the Ronald McDonald House are grateful and thankful for:
- The opportunity to give back to help those in need here at the Ronald McDonald House
- The shifts never feeling like work
- Recovery from illness
- McFamily volunteers
- Fall nights with candles and warm blankets
- Always meeting someone new at the Ronald McDonald House
- The education of a lifetime at The Ohio State University
- My husband’s love for 42 years
- The holiday season
- Health and happiness
- The Ronald McDonald House Charities mission
- Candy and ice cream
- Waking up this morning
- Good service and nice beds at the Ronald McDonald House
- No worries of expense of food and lodging at the Ronald McDonald House
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all of the reasons to be grateful. Different countries celebrate Thanksgiving in unique and different ways. Here are some celebrations from all over the world:
- Jour de l’Action aka Thanksgiving Day: Canada celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the year with a large feast
- Chuseok: Korea celebrates this 3-day holiday with a major food festival. Koreans return to their hometowns to perform traditional rituals in the morning to remember ancestors
- Tet Trung Thu Festival: Vietnam’s fall celebration is also known as the Children’s Festival. Children light lanterns and perform lion dances as part of the celebration
- Harvest Festival: London’s 2-day festival includes the fruit and vegetable competition as well as the giant pumpkin competition
- Homowo: Ghana’s celebration is a commemoration of the pre-colonial famine that occurred in Ghana. The festival includes drums, face painting, singing and traditional dances
- Erntekankfest: Germany’s Harvest of Thanks includes a Thanksgiving parade and a carnival with elaborate decorations made from harvested fruits and vegetables
- August Moon Festival: China’s 1000 year old tradition to reflect on the summer harvest and fullness of the moon. Many mooncakes-flaky, round, semi-sweet pastries are given as gifts during the celebration
- Pongal: India’s 4-day festival marks the end of the winter season in India. People throw old clothes in the fire and wear new clothes to worship their sun god, Surya.
- Crop Over: Barbados’ harvest festival features singing, dancing, climbing a greased pole, feasting, a drinking competition as well as a calypso music competition
However people choose to give thanks this season, I want to give thanks to all of the hard-working staff and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, the staff and volunteers at the hospitals and most importantly, to our families who are my pleasure to serve every day.