Growing up, I watched the TV special, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving every year. It was one of the many highlights during the Thanksgiving week. As a child, my priority was never the hustle and bustle surrounding the meal. Instead, I was focused on seeing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or watching the once a year holiday movies on television. I also enjoyed spending the day with my family, and even tagging along on the occasional Black Friday shopping trips.

The Thanksgiving gathering seems to change from year to year. You might meet up at a different person’s house, so that various family members can host the meal. In college, I had the pleasure of inviting my family to my apartment to celebrate the holiday.

The attendance list can change too. Family members that came one year may not be able to come the next. In truth, the day never duplicates itself. I suppose that is the meaning behind the word Thanksgiving. We are meant to focus on our blessings this day, while also being reminded to cherish what is in front of us.

I recently covered this topic on my blog–the idea of holding onto every moment. It is important to remember this thought everyday but especially during this time of the year. Never take for granted the time you get to spend with family and friends, because you do not know if or when you might see them again. I know this might sound a bit dismal, and I do not mean it to be. Instead, I want it to be a reminder for everyone to focus on what matters in life–forget the rest.

The holidays bring about fun and laughter for those willing to embrace it. And as I said earlier, I love watching all of the special programming that comes on this time of year. So many artists took advantage of using the holidays and its history in their work. No one can forget Charles Schulz and his loveable characters, such as Snoopy with his iconic red dog house playing a flying ace in World War I. Then there is Charlie Brown and his gullible moments of believing that one day Lucy will let him kick that football, and Lucy’s attempts to help her school friends behind her psychiatric help booth. All of these characters are so memorable and have been a part of so many childhoods. It is incredible that the Peanuts gang has been around since 1950, when they first appeared in the comic section of newspapers across the country.

Jim Davis came along and created the well-beloved orange and black striped cat, Garfield. In 1989, Garfield made his Thanksgiving debut in a Garfield Thanksgiving. The audience gets to watch as Garfield, who loves his breakfast and snacks, has to go on a diet during Thanksgiving–the one time of year where there is an abundance of tasty treats to tempt him constantly. Otis becomes his diet patrol alerting Jon to Garfield’s every disastrous move.

Both of these short cartoons display the love, food, family fun, and tradition that make up this wonderful holiday. Thanksgiving is a time when each of should take a moment to really reflect on all the Lord has given to us. Our blessings really do outweigh our struggles.

So please take a moment this week to consider everything you have, and take an extra special moment to perhaps relive your childhood by watching one of the above programs with someone you love.