Election Predictions -- and Being Thankful

My 11th-hour election predictions:

David Orazietti will be re-elected with a comfortable margin over Jeff Arbus.
Josh Pringle will garner enough votes to not be embarrassing, but not enough to have made the Tories a concern this election.

Provincially, the McGuinty Liberals will be returned with a majority.

---

I’m trying to decide whether or not it’s a bit (or a lot) of a cop-out to go with the expected “Thanksgiving” theme for this week’s column. After all, if there are things in one’s life for which one is thankful, one ought to be thankful every day, not just once a year.

It’s the same argument one often hears at Valentine’s; why show your love on just one day?

On the other hand – and this applies to both, really – having a day set aside to specifically honour a particular occasion doesn’t mean you only give consideration to it on that day, but that one gives extra consideration on that day.

The history of Thanksgiving – buckle-hatted Pilgrims in Plymouth aside – is that of a celebration of the completion of the harvest, and of giving thanks for the generous bounty that has been gathered. The reason why the Canadian and American holidays of the same name are a over month apart is explained in the difference in growing seasons in our two countries; the only thing we’re growing in November is colder.

In reality, our entire calendar in North America is an agrarian one. School starts and ends when it does so that children can help out around the homestead.

True, some of the holidays are carry-overs from our European forbearers, which were originally pagan celebrations and festivals that the Roman Empire adopted into Christian Holy Days. (More on this in my Hallowe’en edition!)

However we got here, we Canadians, rigorously religious or assuredly agnostic, ascetically agrarian or undeniably urban, celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.

Most families will tuck-in to a turkey dinner with all the fixin’s, although some will prefer a ham, and those from other ethnic background may enjoy something more exotic.

There will be those who have no family, or have no contact with their families, who find themselves dining in a restaurant. There will be those who make their way to a soup kitchen or community centre. Some may not even have that opportunity.

Whatever our station in life, whatever circumstance we find ourselves in, it behooves those of us who are reasonably well-off to, at the very least, reflect upon our good fortunes. It is also a time when we ought to give some consideration to those who do have less than we do, and the hardships they are facing in their lives.

Not to say that we can, individually or collectively, “save the world,” but we can at least consider how we might do our part to assist those who are in dire need.

Perhaps we can consider donating a few cans of food, or a few dollars, to the local Food Bank or Soup Kitchen, or giving to a charity that assists the homeless and the needy. Perhaps we can even volunteer our time with such a charity. Perhaps we could do more.

I just believe that when we have so much ourselves, to give even a small portion to help others is the right thing to do.

As I mentioned, Thanksgiving is a time when we can examine our lives and our circumstance, and give thanks for what we do have.

I am particularly thankful for the following:

• that I live in a country where elections are freely held, and citizens are given the choice of whether or not to vote;
  
• that I live in a country where referenda can be and are held on important issues;
  that I live in a country where I have the opportunity to share my thoughts and opinions freely;
  
• that I have the opportunity to do so on SooToday;
  
• that while I did not always agree with them as I was growing up, my parents raised me to accept responsibility for my actions, and to consider how my actions affect others;
  
• that my parents instilled in me a sense of moral values and respect for others;
  
• that I was able to choose friends who accepted me for who I am, and shared my values and ethics;
  
• that when I did make poor decisions, I was able to learn from my mistakes rather than wallow in them;
  
• that despite a number of trials I have experienced in my life, I have not become discouraged and am able to move forward;
  
• that I have the opportunity to attend Teacher’s College, and train for a career that I find deeply meaningful and gratifying;
  
• that I have the opportunity to experience life in yet another community;
  
• that I can say that I have been well and truly blessed.
  
  But... that's just my opinion.
  
  So, for what are you thankful?