I hope people do not follow the advice of some media pundits who have said that it is OK on Thanksgiving to shun family who don’t agree with your politics.

Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to be grateful for our families, friends and people who agree and don’t agree with us.

This is more important to me this year as last week I traveled to North Dakota for my mother’s funeral.

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Even though my mother didn’t remember who I was for several years before she passed away — due to some form of dementia — I have many memories that I so cherish.

For many years we had Thanksgiving at my parents’ home and my mother cooked a huge meal that we all thoroughly enjoyed. We didn’t have much and my mother was very thrifty but she spared no expense when it came to the Thanksgiving meal. She was just happy to share a special meal with her loved ones.

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This Thanksgiving I am especially grateful that I could attend my mother’s funeral and to visit with many family members and friends that I haven’t seen for some time.

I am also grateful that my father was able to go to the funeral and even though he also has dementia he has always loved to be around people and to visit. So, we shook hands several times and enjoyed some small talk.

My father asked a couple of times who the woman in the casket was but didn’t seem to understand that it was his wife.

But as the pastor was finishing her sermon and giving the blessing he suddenly started to cry. I don’t know if he realized that the love of his life was gone or if he was moved by something the pastor said. Then as the pastor came towards him, he stood up from his wheelchair and shook her hand.

As the casket was being wheeled to the hearse, he looked so sad and anxious, and he squeezed my hand very tightly. Again, I don’t know if he came to any realization about what was happening or if he was just moved by the moment, but I’m inclined to believe that he had a moment of clarity and realized what was happening.

We buried my mother at the cemetery at Sarepta Lutheran Church near Adams, N.D. It was a cold; clear day and I took the accompanying photo to remember the occasion.

So, I for one, will always enjoy Thanksgiving and be thankful for every day I get to spend with my loved ones, no matter their political leanings and I know you will do the same.