Every Kind of Thanksgiving

On a recent walk through the woods of southern Oregon, I found myself reflecting on my feelings of gratitude as I looked around at everything that spoke of a long and brilliant fall.

I took delight in the abundant crops of acorns and bright red madrone berries. The madrone trees were thronged with feeding robins and hermit thrushes, and the oaks were alive with squirrels, jays, and woodpeckers.

Although neither acorns nor madrone berries will be part of my Thanksgiving feast, my feeling of thanks for this bounty came easily and naturally.

Then, further up the trail, I passed through a stand of...