Thursday, November 26, 2009

Thanksgiving Memories and Blessings

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Thanksgiving each year becomes more and more challenging. It used to be an amazing feat for mom to get dad, and all three of us kids, at the table at the same time without somebody hitting somebody, and without somebody in tears. Now, with each of us kids married and with children (and in my case grandchildren as well), getting the family together is a major endeavor that includes picking a time that does not interfere with all of the other family dinners.

My brother visits his in-laws around 11am, and my sister's in-laws are having their Thanksgiving Dinner at about 6pm. My in-laws chose a time in between, just as my folks did. This year we chose to go to my family's meal.

Among all of the chaos, torture, and lunacy is the real reason for Thanksgiving. Sure, turkey sandwiches for a week, and a family get-together that rivals anything Hollywood can produce when it comes to the insanity, is great - but it's not the reason for Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is the opportunity as a nation to stop for one day and thank the Lord for the blessings we have received. The original intention was to give thanks to God for the blessings the colonies were receiving. After all, their beginning was a rough one. But the lessons from the Indians regarding farming, and the lessons of a free market over a more communal society, gave the early settlers plenty to be thankful for.

On this Thanksgiving I ask that we all recognize that we live in a free nation founded on the principles of God-given values. We have prospered, despite the challenges we are facing right now. Our poorest citizens live better than 90% of the world's population. We have much to be thankful for, and it is to God we must give the glory.

Happy Thanksgiving, and God Bless America.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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