that the date of Thanksgiving was once changed to try and boost the ecomony? President Franklin Roosevelt decided to change the traditional date of Thanksgiving from the last of Thursday November to the second to last Thursday in November 1939, 1940 and 1941.  He did this to extend the Christmas shopping season by a week.  Only half of the states went along with this idea however, with Texas celebrating Thanksgiving on both Thursdays! This became a mess that was settled in congress in 1941.  In true congressional form, the date set was a compromise; Thanksgiving would be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, which is sometimes the last and sometimes the second to last Thursday in November.  

There is so much doom and gloom in the media, and yet as we draw loved ones near, may we know what the true meaning of Thanksgiving is.  This holiday is unique in that it doesn't requre gifts of a specific nature…just companionship, sharing, love and reciprocity.  Let us be grateful for the simple gifts no matter where we are: food, friends and family.  Most importantly let us not forget those whose bounty may not be as great as ours.  For we all have acquaintances, friends and family who have lost much in the past several years, and, if you can assist them, please lend a hand.  We all know that we can be in that place, too, in a blink of fate's eye.  So for what you have, please be grateful, and for whatever you need, please say a prayer for yourself and whomever may be in worse need that you.  Thank you and happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Julie Pogue Properteis.

Hope you all have a terrific week!