I like to spend a little time every day counting my blessings.  And for many of us, Thanksgiving is a special day we set aside to be with family and loved ones, to express our gratitude for all that we've been given.

Many years ago, I began to wonder what I was going to do as Thanksgiving approached.  I knew I wouldn't be celebrating with my own family.  Then Spirit strongly suggested that I join with "another part" of my family.  I had no idea who or what my guides meant. A second suggestion soon followed the first: Why don't you spend this upcoming holiday with the homeless?"

Putting the two notions together, my first thought was to wonder if Spirit was telling me that I'd be homeless soon?  My guides assured me that was not going to happen.  And then they provided me the name of an organization here in New York City (I love when they do that!) that would need my help on Thanksgiving.  I called the following day and signed up as part of a team of volunteers who would be cooking and serving the holiday dinner at a soup kitchen in the Bronx.

The big day came.  I got up at 3 a.m. to take a subway and bus to the meeting place.  That's not normally the safest thing to do in New York at that time in the morning, but I knew I'd be just fine.  When I arrived, the first order of business was to get the turkeys in the ovens.  But the birds were only partly defrosted!  We all put our heads together and managed to get everything finished and ready in time for our very special guests.

Everyone sat down at the tables together.  We held hands and thanked God for the food we were about to receive.  I realized then what a profound gift it was to me to be sharing Thanksgiving dinner in unity with others of this human family which we are all a part, regardless of our circumstances.  I made my way home that evening exhausted but filled with joy.

Volunteering became my special way of celebrating many Thanksgivings from that point on.  But one year, I hadn't been feeling well.  I was so tired that I decided not to spend that particular holiday cooking and serving.  I knew I had to replenish my own cup so I'd be able to fully give from my heart again.

So there I was, once more without plans.  And I chose to have Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant...alone.  As I waited for my food to arrive, I heard families at other tables chattering and laughing.  I allowed myself a five-minute pity party, and then made a very clear request to Source.  I still remember my exact words:  "God, please send me a tribe that will nourish my soul."

In "Spoken From the Heart", a column to be launched in the February issue of Opening Minds, Awakening Hearts News, I'll continue the story of my hunger for deep connection, my search for the meaning of family, and how I learned that we're never truly alone.

Until then, I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving, and a holiday season filled with abundance, joy, laughter and love.

Randi