The onslaught of hurricanes in the gulf region in 2005 has left many victims wondering what they had to be thankful for during the Thanksgiving season. Instead of remembering good times, the holiday brought a reminder of what was lost in the rain, floods, and winds of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Dr. Diane Sasser, family life professor at Louisiana State University's AgCenter says "You can expect there will be times when families recall their losses and are sad. Grief is a natural part of the process of moving forward." Sasser says the holidays can be more important despite or even because of the hardships we face. She suggests putting an optimistic face on Thanksgiving by asking each family member to name a positive thing that has happened as a result of the storms. She says another positive step is to recall the goodness and blessings of the current situation.

Sasser said that in the midst of the tragedy there was still room to be thankful for shelter, life, family, strength, dry clothes, relief workers, the end of this year's hurricane season, a new day, no longer waiting five hours along the side of the interstate for transportation away from the city, the time you had with family members who are no longer with you, and new babies who serve as a reminder that life goes on. Adding to the list of things to be thankful for Sasser says, "Last but not least, you can thankful you are not turkey."

—www.lsuagcenter.com, What is There to be Thankful for?, November 3, 2005. Illustration by Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NASB) "Rejoice always; [17] pray without ceasing; [18] in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

When Christian Morancie brought a care package to send to her stepson’s National Guard unit serving in Afghanistan, she was surprised when an employee at the post office paid the postage. Gardner Chamberlain is a Navy veteran who works at the post office. He said paying for the packages is his way of giving back to those who are serving their country. Chamberlain said he knows how important it is to get a package from home when you are serving far away, and since he doesn’t bake or cook, he helps in the only way he can, paying postage. Chamberlain said he hopes to inspire others to give back to the troops. He added, “Those guys are going through a rough deal and they don’t know from minute to minute so this is one way to reach out and grab them and say, ‘Thank you.’”—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Navy veteran pays for package from Littleton Regional Hospital workers,

http://www.wmur.com/news/nh-news/whitefield-postal-worker-pays-for-care-package-to-afghanistan/-/9857858/22725318/-/ldb7yx/-/index.html?hpt=us_bn7, Accessed October 31, 2013.

Philippians 1:3 (NKJV) I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

A Massachusetts man found a way to deal with the setback of a hard winter in his city. He has learned to be thankful for the new source of income it provided. Kyle Waring was shoveling snow when he got the idea to sell the snow from his yard to people living in warmer parts of the country. Waring began offering six pounds of snow for the bargain price of $89 for six pounds. At first, he tried shipping 16.9 ounces bottles of snow, but found the snow melted before it reached its destination. He says six pounds melts a little, but the package still makes 10 to 15 snowballs when it arrives. He also offers 10-pound packages for $119. Waring plans to keep selling until people stop ordering.—Jim L. Wilson & Jim Sandell.

Snow, to go: Massachusetts man ships snow to people in warmer climates for $89 for 6 pounds, http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/24/snow-to-go-massachusetts-man-ships-snow-to-people-in-warmer-climates-for-8-for, Accessed February 24, 2015.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB) Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

In THANKS! How Practicing Gratitude Can Make You Happier, Robert A. Emmons, Ph.D. writes, “In his longitudinal study of male adult development. Harvard University psychiatrist George Vaillant theorizes that a key to mature adaptation to life is the ability to replace bitterness and resentment toward those that have perpetrated harm with gratitude and acceptance.” —Jim L. Wilson

Colossians 3:15 (HCSB)“And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.”