turley the surly turkey

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There once was a turkey-quite a beautiful bird-
Who could talk just like us! Don't you think that's absurd?
When hearing his story, folks would travel a week.
Their eyes popped! Their mouths dropped
When they took their first peek!

With his unusual talent, Turley only caused pain,
For this gobbledy fellow could only complain
'Bout the farmer, his food, his coop and the weather;
He even complained 'bout the size of his feathers!

In one ear and out his words quickly flew,
And although he could talk, there was nobody who
Really wanted to listen to this ungrateful bird
'Till soon what he said was not heard - not one word!

Then on a morning close to Thanksgiving Day
Turley went to speak, but no word could he say!
He strained and he struggled, but nothing came out.
Not a peep nor a mumble or a gobbledy shout.

So poor Turley sat down, pulled his feathers all in,
And rubbed at his throat again and again.
He was sad; he was lonely. What could have gone wrong?
He sat there and thought, and he thought all day long.

Turley thought of the nice things he'd almost once said,
Wond'ring why he had not said those nice things instead.
His tail feathers trembled when he thought of his friends,
Of crunchy grain, his warm coop....
"Hmmm, I must make amends."

Now old Turley's feathers continued to shake
As he counted his blessings for his own turkey sake.
The more that he counted, the harder they shook
Until Turley stood up and took a much closer look.

Oh, my! Oh, my goodness! Are these feathers all mine?
Unbelievable! Incredible! They're simply divine!
For on each turkey feather of this marvelous bird
Were written Turley's blessings in capital words!

Why, this turkey, once known as ungrateful, was now
A turkey most thankful and humble - not proud!
Turley gleamed and he glowed! Turley gobbled with glee!
What a warm glowing feeling to be thankful as he!

As Thanksgiving arrived, Turley had nothing to fear.
He was cordially invited to spread holiday cheer.
Each blessing was counted, each thanks said, sincere,
His feathers now showed what to him was most dear.

(author unknown)

It's fun to look back and see how our perspective on blessings has changed and grown over the years.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.”

It's important and even necessary for us to see the good in our lives.  There is always something that we can be grateful for.  Every single moment we have the choice to be grateful or not.  Let's keep on looking for those blessings and miracles in our lives, whether they be big or small. They are the things that change who we are and who we need to become.
Happy Thanksgiving, all.

Keep Smiling!