Happy Thanksgiving from America. Shawnee Chief Tecumseh taught, “If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”Benjamin Franklin wanted to use the turkey as the symbol of the new United States instead of the bald eagle. Today, a lot of people think that Franklin’s choice is more appropriate. Yet for everyone who thinks that our country is so bad, there are thousands more every day who have arrived on our shores, searching for the better life they have not found in their own lands.
There is hardly a single nation or ethnic group that isn’t represented among “Americans.” Whether we came here in the 1600s or the 1700s, the Nineteenth or Twentieth Century – or yesterday – we all have a say in our government, our laws, our way of life.
We have so much to be thankful for. Today is the day we celebrate it, no matter which of our forefathers’ flags we wave around the holiday table. Doug, Donna and Madeleine (our son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter) will join us this afternoon for Thanksgiving dinner. Rachel (our daughter) will enjoy one Thanksgiving feast in New Jersey, a second one in the late afternoon in New York City, and a third one later in the evening…the energy of the young!
From me and my family to yours, all the best on Thanksgiving Day.
Painting courtesy of www.signalhilltattoo.ca in Canada, the other nation that celebrates Thanksgiving.
1 comment:
Dear Richard: Thanks for your message. A very happy day to you, Barbara and all of yours. We all have a lot to be thankful for, it's nice that at least one nation makes a day of it!
Thanks mostly to our friendship, I never think that America is bad. I don't think that Britain is bad either, although I am sometimes ashamed of what is done in our name, and so shamelessly.
But you are right, so many people would give their eye teeth to change their lives for ours, we should truly celebrate our lucky accidents of birth!
On which note, cheers, bottoms up, and nazdravi to all America!
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