In times like these, with so much violence across the country; with Covid-19 leading to so many deaths, so much fear, so much misinformation, so many questionable shutdowns; with social media giants, much of the technology sector, and portions of the financial sector acting separately or in concert to suppress speech; with capitalism, the great American engine for prosperity, heavily restricted by crushing regulations; with so many power-hungry leftist politicians in charge of our states; with so many deep-state groups and individuals holding back the country and her citizens, their rightful liberties, and hopes for a better future; with rampant voter fraud by shadowy criminals and crooked politicians attempting to steal an American election … it may be difficult, almost impossible, to find a reason to feel thankful on this Thanksgiving Day of 2020.
But on this day, like every day, but especially on this day - our day of Thanksgiving - we must think of the things in our lives for which we can give thanks. To do less would be to sully the memories of all good things gone by. On this day, like no other, it is our right and it is our duty to ourselves to be thankful.
We must remember the past and the extraordinary efforts made by our founding fathers to create the United States of America. They traveled far in search of freedom. They traveled far in hopes of a better life. They traveled far toward an uncertain future, leaving well-established lives behind … and, in the fullness of their time and effort, with all their courage and all their intellect, they created the greatest country that has ever existed, and set an example for the world.
For all the founders accomplished … we must be thankful.
Across American history there have been great wars that threatened our freedoms and our existence. Brave young men and women rose up to the challenge and defended liberty with their lives. Too many of them died in battle; their contribution must never be forgotten. Those who lived were successful in fighting tyranny and securing America for future generations. Without their contributions there would be no America.
For our military heroes and their service to our country … we must be thankful.
Throughout our history, we have had many presidents; some were terrible, some were good, and some were great. The good and great ones did their jobs well and helped America prosper, as our business leaders and entrepreneurs took the lead and created products and services, and the jobs and careers that went with them, lifting up our lifestyles in ways hard to imagine, if you are ignorant of history.
For those great leaders and the wonderfully productive citizenry who built our great country… we must be thankful.
I am sure you know of many more reasons to be thankful on this Thanksgiving Day, important things like family and friends. It might be a good thing to consider your reasons, write them down, read over them, and draw strength for the future from them.
From my personal life, I will offer a few things for which I am thankful.
I am thankful for my loving sister and her kind and generous husband … who, in early 2009, rescued me from the dark, destructive path of my PTSD-inflicted life. Without their loving support I would be homeless or dead.
I have lived a long life, some of it in frustration, some of it in strife, some of it in the trauma of war, some of it in great pain. But I have also, from time to time, been happy. And I have also, from time to time, felt joy. Much of my life is been productive. I can look back on that time fondly. As I reach my twilight years, my mind and my body at less than full strength or competence, I find myself in a state of acceptance. Some things hoped for will not come to pass. I will not fret over them. One thing that I have, one thing that has become precious, are my memories, my memories of happy and better times, strewn throughout my long life. And today, I am not without the pleasures of life. I am not without enjoyment of the time that I have left. I am not without hope, and I am, in fact, quite hopeful for a meaningful personal future and for the future of my country. For my memories of the good things from my past, for the good days that I continue to enjoy, and for my belief in the hope of a better future … I am thankful.
And finally, on this Thanksgiving Day, I think back to the first earthly thing of my life for which I must be thankful: I was raised in a poverty of luxuries but an abundance of hope and love. My mother and father were born in, fell in love in, and raised their family, in America. I am thankful for my parents and the country of my birth.