S & R Investment FOIA Division

Dear Arkansas friends and neighbors:

We are officially in the holiday season - what a great time of year. Thanksgiving meals, football games, puzzles and games with family, and lots of selfies with food and family (if you are “into” selfies with food). Treasure the “together” moments.

Let me share a quick family challenge for Thanksgiving. If your family spends more time complaining around the table at Thanksgiving than you do giving thanks, you have missed the point of Thanksgiving—gratitude. There are so many issues and problems that we currently face as a nation and state, but it is good for our souls to choose to speak about how much we have and what we are thankful for in our family, our nation, and our friends.

This is a good week to reset with your family. If you have a disagreement with someone in your family, now is the time to give him or her a call and try to resolve it, before Thanksgiving Day. Most families have disagreements, some more than others. Part of loving is also learning how to love others, even when we do not agree. Don’t let your time with family be your “leftovers.” Bring as much of yourself and your energy to your family as you do to work, school, projects, and community service.

The strength of our nation is built on the strength of our families. If our families struggle, our nation will struggle. Our families are our biggest asset. Let’s take care of them and enjoy them this Thanksgiving season.