This is not the happiest Thanksgiving. So many out of work, so many others afraid they’re next, and the recession is not receding as swiftly as we were told it would.
Yet all these worries pale against the collective remembrance of the fearful hardships endured by the first immigrants to these shores. They spread the first feast of gratitude in the New World. They laid the foundation for the generations who followed to enjoy life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness (and turkey).
We give thanks for their gifts to us – the right to worship freely, the right to speak our minds as we choose, and the way of life we cherish.
But this season something seems to have gone awry. We’re looking through the wrong end of the telescope. We’ve bailed out Wall Street, Detroit and other giants and masters of the economic universe, but the 10 percent who can’t find work don’t know how they’ll pay the rent, the grocer or the doctor.
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Notes:
It should always be kept in mind that no matter how bad things are for you, you can always look around and find someone worse off. On this day I wish Americans a happy day and all the best in the future (and I’m still scratching my head wondering why they celebrate Thanksgiving in the middle of the week).
Got me stumped too, Jack… I’ve never paid that close of attention to the American version of Turkey Day but they do seem to enjoy the festivities…