Things November: Nov. 1, 2010

Happy November!

Did you know...


November 1st is the 305th day of the year, leaving only 60 days until 2010 is over!

November’s flower is the Chrysanthemum, from which Chrysanthemum tea can be made. In traditional Chinese medicine, the tea is said to aid in preventing a sore throat and treating eye pain.

On November 1, 1927: Ford rolled out the Model A, which was to replace the “Tin Lizzie” – with prices starting at $460.00.

The Feast of All Saints is celebrated on November 1st by some religions. The holiday is celebrated by paying respects to those who have passed on from this world before us, and praying for their eternal peace in heaven.

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For me, November signifies gathering. Gathering of friends and family. Gathering together thoughts of the year that has almost passed. Gathering together hopes for the year to come.

There is a heightened awareness of blessings bestowed upon us.

There is a hunger that awakens in us to bless others because we are blessed.

In the early days of our country, farmers gathered and harvested their crops. The fruits of their labor would get them through the harsh winter until they could again plant fresh crops in the spring.

Today we are less dependent solely on this type of harvesting for our survival. But we still gather and harvest.

We gather together and harvest “crops” of warm clothing for those in need…

“crops” of food prepared with loving hands for the hungry…

                   

“crops” of gifts for children who might not otherwise receive.

We gather,

we laugh,

we cry,

we hold hands,

we pray...

...and we harvest plentiful “crops” of people

loving each other,

face-to-face

and across hundreds of thousands of miles.

We gather and harvest, in full hope that we will weather through the harsh winters of our lives.

That we may help others do the same.

In the hope and knowledge that when the sun comes back out and thaws the deep-frozen parts of our hurting hearts, that we will continue the cycle of planting seeds in the world around us.

Also be sure to follow along with me on my 30-Day Giving Challenge page (click here).  I hope you'll be inspired to join in!