We all know the original Thanksgiving story, even though it wasn't called Thanksgiving by the Pilgrims in November of 1621 in Plymouth. The Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. The day of thanksgiving was celebrated by individual states and colonies for over 200 years before it was proclaimed a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the Civil War.

In America it is the fourth Thursday in November each year, and most families/friends gather together for a day of feasting and maybe some football. My children and I don't do sports but we like to play with the little kids and have music and fun together. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was also a staple in my younger years. And, of course, lots of great food, which makes for awesome sandwiches for the next few days as well.

We all have our own Thanksgiving traditions and I know I enjoy getting together with my children and grandchildren. Everybody grows so fast and it seems the older I get the faster the time goes.

So, take some time to slow down on Thanksgiving and be grateful for all you have in your life and all the great aspects of our lives here in America. We all have so much to be thankful for and it will make you feel better if you take a minute to sit down and think about all the things you have to be thankful for.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at HCEN!

Mary Crawford, HealthCare Employment Network