Five Kernels of Corn

My birthday was in October and one of the items on my birthday wish list was a publication called Seeing the Everyday. Thankfully, my Mom gifted me with a subscription and I've been in awe ever since. To call it a magazine would almost be an insult as it's nothing short of a work of art.

First of all, it's beautiful. The pages are printed on thick paper with a matte finish. The photography is excellent, stories are well written and often tear jerking, and the layout/design of the pages is again, artful. And the best part? It is completely 100% ad free. How many magazines can say that?

Most noteworthy is its premise: "Finding poetry in the prosaic". Every story, photograph, drawing made by a five year old, all point to the same thing. Life is about those everyday moments. The little moments that happen between the four walls of our homes, with our family, are the ones that mean the most and have the most impact. This magazine reminds us to slow down even though we live in a world that is telling us to do more, spend more, have more and be more. It's refreshing to say the least.

So, where exactly am I going with the "Five Kernels of Corn" title?

In the latest edition of Seeing the Everyday is a story written by a mother telling of her Thanksgiving tradition. Every Thanksgiving, this mother places five kernels of corn at each place setting at her table. The five kernels of corn represent the daily ration given to the Pilgrims during their first winter in America. Before dinner, the mother tells the story of the five kernels and the Pilgrims' first winter. Then, a jar is passed around the table and every person drops their kernels into the jar, one by one, and tells of something for which they are thankful.

Wow. Can you imagine a daily ration of five kernels of corn? I will fully admit that while I understand the meaning of Thanksgiving, I guess I've never taken the time to fully appreciate it. It makes our failing markets and economy seem minor at the moment.

I love this tradition and will be implementing in our house. And, I love this publication for all that it is and so many things that it is not.