Wiger: Giving Thanks

Playwright Thornton Wilder once said, “We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” This is a great quote to remember as we celebrate Thanksgiving and head into the holiday season. 

I always treasure this time of year as an opportunity to express my gratitude for all of the blessings that have been bestowed upon me. I think we should all take time to reflect on the gifts that we have been given. 

As we reflect on what we are grateful for, we should also take action for people in need. This is a great time of year to volunteer time and talent to a worthwhile cause. To remind myself of this each Thanksgiving, I like to recall this Thanksgiving prayer by Samuel Pugh:

O God, when I have food,
help me to remember the hungry;
When I have work,
help me to remember the jobless;
When I have a home,
help me to remember those who have no home at all;
When I am without pain,
help me to remember those who suffer,
And remembering,
help me to destroy my complacency;
bestir my compassion,
and be concerned enough to help;
By word and deed,
those who cry out for what we take for granted.
Amen.

If you are interested, check out the following links to find more information on:

• Donating or volunteering at a local food shelf - www.2harvest.org
• Work with a toy drive for children in need - www.toysfortots.org (the 2011 campaign starts Nov. 28)
• Volunteer at a local nursing home – www.volunteermatch.org
• Donate time or money to members of our military and their families - www.btyr.org

Finally, I thank you for allowing me to serve you in the Minnesota Senate. It is an honor to serve our communities. I am truly thankful for the opportunity to represent you. Have a happy Thanksgiving.

As always, please contact me with questions or suggestions regarding any issue.  Please visit my Senate website at senate.mn/senatorwiger. I also encourage you to visit me at the Capitol, or let me know if you’d like me to stop by your home or apartment.  Also, please tune in to my local cable TV show, “Your Capitol: What’s Up?,” which appears on public access channels 15 and 16.