The Pig of Thaankfulness

Long before Winifred S. Tilton was born, there were Pigs of Thaankfulness.
In fact, there have been Pigs of Thaankfulness for hundreds of years.
There is only one at a time. And every so often, when the time is right, a new pig is chosen to carry on the tradition.

Exactly how this happens is something of a mystery. The pigs have never been particularly forthcoming about it.

But we do know what it takes to be chosen.
Kindness.
A generous spirit.
A gentle heart.
And a rather remarkable ability to notice the good things that the rest of us sometimes forget to notice.

For hundreds of years, that has been the job of the Pig of Thaankfulness.

To remind us.
To stop every once in a while and remember the people we've loved. The animals who became family. The places that have felt like home. The moments that still make us laugh. The kindness we've been shown. And all those ordinary little things that are so easy to take for granted.
But every Pig of Thaankfulness carries another reminder with her.
And it may be the most important one.

While you're remembering everything you're thaankful for, don't forget that you have been a reason for someone else's thaankfulness, too.

Someone has been thaankful you showed up.
Thaankful you listened.
Thaankful you made them laugh.
Thaankful you cared.
Thaankful you were there.
Maybe they told you.
Maybe they never did.
But over the course of your life, you have been part of the good in someone else's.

And recently, for the first time in many years, a new Pig of Thaankfulness was chosen.

Winifred S. Tilton.

We can't say we're terribly surprised.
Winifred is kind. She's thoughtful. She's generous. And underneath that occasional expression suggesting everyone around her has lost their damn minds, there is an enormous amount of love in that little pig.

It also explains something.
When Shirley, Molly and Dolores recently informed Winifred that her orange coloring and beautiful markings made her an ideal candidate for Jack-o-Pig, Pig-o-Lantern, or possibly THE PIG PUMPKIN, Winifred declined.

She told them she already had obligations this fall that she was “not at liberty to discuss.”
Apparently she wasn't kidding.

Because Winifred has officially begun her first season as the Pig of Thaankfulness.

And she has something for you.
It's a 2 oz amber-glass soy candle in a warm scent with hints of nutmeg and cookies fresh from the oven.

But this one is a little different from our regular candles.
It's a reminder.

Save it for Thanksgiving.
Light it with your morning coffee. While you're cooking (even if cooking for one). During dinner. Later that evening. Or find a few quiet minutes and light it just for yourself.

There is nothing you need to write down. Nothing you have to share. Nothing you're supposed to accomplish.

Just let it burn for a little while and remember the things you're thaankful for.

And while you do, remember what the Pig of Thaankfulness wants you to know:
You have been a reason for someone else's thaankfulness, too.
Maybe many someones.

And those of us here at Tilton Hollow?
We're certainly thaankful for you.

For a limited time, we'll include Winifred's special 2 oz Thannkfulness candle and the story of the Pig of Thaankfulness with every order of $30 or more, at no charge.

Then tuck it away somewhere safe until Thanksgiving.
The Pig of Thaankfulness will take it from there.