Thanksgiving
In a few short days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving - a day to give thanks for the blessing of the harvest. When many of us think of this holiday we are brought back to grade school and lessons of the "First Thanksgiving" with the Indians and Pilgrims at Plymouth in 1621.
As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration in America, marking November 26, 1789 as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. The date that Thanksgiving was observed varied from state to state until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 that all states would observe it on the same day - the last Thursday in November. A joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on December 26, 1941, changed the national Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday, where it has remained.
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine as it is a day for exactly that - being thankful for what we have. A time to spend with family with no expectations other than to have a great meal and share time with those we love. Sometimes the distance between families is too far to be able to share a meal, but a call to hear a familiar voice can make the day complete. Connections that warm the heart and soul even if only for a short time.
I also am thinking of those serving in our military so far from home during the upcoming holiday. I will be sure to say a special prayer on Thanksgiving Day to all who give so much of themselves for our country. Their family's sacrifice should also be recognized as they partake of their Thanksgiving meal without their husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister.
So I will wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a day filled with great food, and precious time with family and friends.
As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration in America, marking November 26, 1789 as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer. The date that Thanksgiving was observed varied from state to state until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed in 1863 that all states would observe it on the same day - the last Thursday in November. A joint resolution of Congress, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on December 26, 1941, changed the national Thanksgiving Day from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday, where it has remained.
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of mine as it is a day for exactly that - being thankful for what we have. A time to spend with family with no expectations other than to have a great meal and share time with those we love. Sometimes the distance between families is too far to be able to share a meal, but a call to hear a familiar voice can make the day complete. Connections that warm the heart and soul even if only for a short time.
I also am thinking of those serving in our military so far from home during the upcoming holiday. I will be sure to say a special prayer on Thanksgiving Day to all who give so much of themselves for our country. Their family's sacrifice should also be recognized as they partake of their Thanksgiving meal without their husband/wife, father/mother, brother/sister.
So I will wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you have a day filled with great food, and precious time with family and friends.
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