Yesterday I contacted FTD Florist, like I have for the last 33 years, and ordered my mother a centerpiece for her Thanksgiving table.  These flowers will be delivered to her today.  When I was in my 20’s I would receive a phone call at work to say the flowers had been delivered.  Then usually in about 30 minutes or so, my mother would call my office and say, “somebody sent me some beautiful flowers.”  We would laugh and I would say, “I’m glad you like them,” and we would continue a conversation for a few minutes ending with, “I’ll see you tomorrow at lunch.”

Well this tradition has continued through the many shifts and changes of communication not only between my mother and me, but also between me and FTD Florist.  The process is pretty simple at this time.  I go through an app on my phone, order the flowers, receive a confirmation through an email on my phone and then when the flowers are delivered today (Wednesday) I will receive a text from FTD that they have been delivered.

The interesting thing is that within about 3 minutes, I will also receive a text from my 83 year old mother that will say, “sum1 sent prty flwrs,”  I will text “WOW!  Njoy.” And then “c u tumoro.”  This shift to less communication has been going on for quite some time now; ever since we all have been texting more than calling and talking.

Interestingly enough this year, I sent a horn of plenty for her table with beautiful flowers bursting out in an array of colors and shapes.  I was thinking about that this morning and thought, it will be nice to be sitting around the table this year with Judy, my parents and both my boys with their new wives.  I am sure there will be “plenty of conversation.” And I don’t think we will have to ask the boys to “put up your cell phone so we can share with each other.” Time does shift some things!

The cornucopia (from Latin cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment.  My dream this year is that first, each of you reading this email will have an abundance of friends, family, food and fellowship during this coming weekend. — AND – my daring daydream is this:  May we see a world where every person has an abundance of friends, family, food and love.

This Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent.  In Unity Advent is celebrated, but you may find a bit differently than some religious traditions.  We become the messengers or the “Angels of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy.”  Join us this Sunday when we will be discussing Getting Everything By Giving It:  “No Room In The Inn.”  Also, the awesome and inspiring John McAndrew will be joining us with special music.

“We Are Messengers of Hope – Messengers of Hope is What We Are.”    

Have a beautiful and abundant Thanksgiving,
Rev. Denise