By ANGIE ROUGHTON

Community Advocate – Inner Banks Hotline

Thanksgiving! Just the word evokes an idealized family gathering where everyone is holding hands and in perfect health, with fully-funded bank accounts, blissful marriages, and children who are always cheerful and obedient.

Now that’s a far cry from reality, isn’t it? No one’s real Thanksgiving gathering looks like this. Ever. Yet we’ve somehow convinced ourselves that in order for unreserved thanksgiving to occur (no matter the time of year), this idealized picture must be present.

Well, perhaps we need to redefine our definition of what thankfulness is. Giving thanks doesn’t necessarily mean that we’re saying we believe the situation is perfect and that’s why we’re thankful. In fact, giving thanks doesn’t even have to mean that we’re happy about the situation or that we like it at all.

Thankfulness can simply be an offering — a hope and a faith put in a promise yet to be fulfilled. If you or someone you know is living in domestic violence, there is hope. Inner Banks Hotline is here for you. Our 24-hour Crisis Line number 1-877-429-5526.

To support our mission our Thrift Store at 507 Hwy 64 East (beside Family Dollar) is open Monday–Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed on Saturday and Sunday. Donations are accepted in the back in the open carport.

Inner Banks Hotline is all about strengthening families and communities. You may contact us at 252-796-5526.