If there's Christmas in July, why not Thanksgiving in April?

  This April, I would like to suggest something a bit different. We have all heard of "Christmas in July" where we focus on giving to others during the summer months. (I will remind you in July, just in case you forget.)

  I would like us, however, to focus on Thanksgiving in April.

  The traditional etymology from the Latin aperire (April) means "to open" in allusion to it being the season when trees and flowers begin to "open." I would like to suggest that we "open" our minds and hearts to giving thanks for all we have this April.

  It is so easy to see the glass as half empty and complain that we don't have enough. Instead, open yourselves to the glorious blessings that are ours. We must teach our family members to recognize what they have!

  I recently had a student in my college class who did nothing but complain about school. She told the class daily how much she hated school, how much she hated homework, how much she disliked the food services on campus, and how she really did not like driving all the way to campus each day.

  One day, an older male student toward the front of the class, turned around and said, "Shut up!" The class was eerily quiet - I wasn't sure what to say. He went on to explain that he had paid his taxes for many, many years which, in turn, had helped those students, who were using financial aid, pay for tuition and books.

  He further explained that he was a veteran who had fought diligently for freedom and while the class may or may not believe in the value of war, he believed that it was because of those who fought for freedom that each student in that class could choose what they wanted to do with their lives. He said he had personally fought so students had the opportunity to attend college and become whatever they wanted.

  A recent study showed that in the former Taliban strongholds of south Afghanistan, only 3 to 5 percent of girls are enrolled in school. The value of education was never considered for these girls.

  Another study, dated March 2008, examined how children in Uganda had to walk over two hours, wading across rivers, to get to the nearest school - and they were thankful that they could finally receive an education in their country.

  In Zimbabwe, a recent article reported that students are fainting from hunger in class - hit by severe food shortages. Girls are missing school because they cannot afford to buy sanitary supplies. Children - children - are quitting school to supplement family incomes as vendors and even sex workers.

  It is estimated that the United States awards more the $130 billion each year to students and families for higher education. In the United States we are all entitled to a free and appropriate education until 12th grade. We expect this - but are we thankful for it?

  It is estimated that 70 percent of the world's population is unable to read (maybe that college assignment to read the chapter isn't so tough after all), 50 percent of the population suffers from malnutrition (campus food service is better than no food), and finally, only 1 percent of the population has a college education (perhaps having the opportunity to study and choose a career is a blessing?).

  School can be difficult and requires sacrifice and hard work. Our jobs can be challenging and oftentimes we don't get to eat our favorite foods each day.

  Driving to and from school and work can be frustrating in the Yuma traffic - but we must teach our families to be thankful for their educational opportunities, the school lunch that provides nutrition for them, and even the road construction and traffic we navigate through (in our air-conditioned cars).

   Let's remind each other to "open" our hearts and minds and celebrate with Thanksgiving all we have this April!

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Christina Hawkey is a professor of family studies at Arizona Western College. She can be reached at christina.hawkey@azwestern.edu.