Once again, the last Thursday of November brings another Thanksgiving Holiday. The origins of the Holiday may be debated still as well as the original meaning, but it remains a day set aside long ago for us to show our thanks for all we have and how fortunate we are to be in the freest nation ever imagined.
While we should be thankful every day for the good fortune we have to be Americans, we still set aside one day a year to show our thanks and spend time with loved ones, even those we have differences with. It is a day where we should be able to set aside petty political differences to enjoy our families and loved ones company and for a few, enjoy those who have been absent in faraway lands, especially those returning from war.
Even with all of our troubles and political squabbling we do day after day, we in America still have much to be thankful for. Many people of the world envy those we call poor in America as even our poor are seen as wealthy by so many in other impoverished countries.
Even in these dire economic times our poor are still better off than the children of Africa and many South and Central American countries were food is scarce, clean water a luxury and sanitation almost non-existent causing the premature deaths of many.
Still, we Americans can look around and find much to complain about and even in that we are fortunate that in America we may stand up and express our disagreements with elected officials without fear of retribution in the form of a late night visit from government thugs to “correct our attitude.”
So for just one day out of the year, we give our thanks in our own way. Some to God or another higher power and some just to their families and loved ones. That too is part of the hard fought freedoms we enjoy.
For me personally, even though my life has been filled with rough spots and did not turn out as I had hoped for in my teens, I can find much to be thankful for.
I am part of a very exclusive group of Americans, a Veteran. Sent to war years ago, I came through without any major injuries or wounds. Through the US Army I had the fortune to visit other countries and see just how good we Americans have it. Many of my attitudes today were formed by what I witnessed then and no matter how rough it might have been at times, I am thankful for being here and having the freedom to share what I witnessed long ago.
I’m thankful to have been invited to Woodland Primary School these past 2 years to share with 3rd graders my experience and to receive their hugs and thanks as only a child can give.
I’m thankful to have 2 daughters born to me and that they have grown into fine women themselves who have never disappointed me, even though we disagree at times.
I’m thankful for friends I have made in this journey of life who still impact me in several ways.
I’m thankful to have a wife that stands by me and supports me in my day to day efforts.
I’m thankful to be able to choose for myself whether I go to Church or not and to be able to speak freely about what I believe, if I so choose.
As I cross over into senior citizen status, I am most thankful that we still see young people doing just as I did 4 decades ago volunteering to stand in harm’s way between us and our enemies.
Yes, we in America do have much to be thankful for and what I state above is just the tip of the iceberg for me.
So for just this one day, let’s come together and celebrate all we have to give thanks for.
If any are interested in knowing a little more about me, please visit Couv.com for a look at the interview they recently held with me.
