Giving thanks
Every year at this time my mind goes back to the first Thanksgiving and the early pioneers moving west. Although there is a difference of opinions as to the actual date of the first Thanksgiving, the important thing is, that it was agreed upon that we needed a national day of Thanksgiving. There is so much history about this subject, let me encourage you to read and refresh your memory. These are my personal thoughts and feelings, not history.
As I think about the settlers moving west, I think about the hardships they endured and the benefits we still reap from their efforts.
I can see them moving west on horseback, in covered wagons, many on foot. Little children were running and playing beside the wagons, or maybe crying because they were so tired or sick. The womenwere cooking over an open fire, not because they were on a weekend campout, but because that was their way of life as they headed west. The men were keeping watch through the night to protect their families and friends from the enemies of the night.
They left behind mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and long time friends, never to see them again.
Most of the time they never heard from them again. I can hear the prayers of mothers and fathers left behind as their young ones head west to seek a better way of life, praying fervently for their God to take care of their children and grandchildren as they forge on to untamed lands.
I can feel the heat of summer and the deadly cold of long hard winters.
I can see their persistence and determination, along with discouragement and yes, often fear. Then the joy of finally reaching their destination where a different set of hardships await them.
They had no paved highways, no bridges over the rivers and lakes. They made their way through thick forest and woods, over and around mountains, crossing raging rivers, in covered wagons crossing the burning deserts with maybe enough water for just a sip.
Then I have the nerve to complain when I have to sit through, at the longest, a two minute red light, or a five minute wait for a train or complain that I have only one bottle of water!
Their beds were the hard ground with maybe and maybe not a thin piece of cloth that served as a blanket or perhaps a layer of pine needles they pulled together with their hands, already sore and raw from the hard tasks they had chosen to better their lives.
Yes, those were a brave and adventuresome people. We have pioneers today in areas far different, but pioneers none the less. Still, I have to wonder how far we would be today if not for that hardy bunch of "let's push forward" people.
This Thanksgiving season, let's join our hearts and souls together in heartfelt thanks for all who have gone before us that have made our lives what we have today, There is much trouble, sickness, hardships and hurting in the world.
However, if we all take just a moment each day to say "thank you" to our Heavenly Father for our blessings, then pray a little prayer for those around us
that are hurting, known and unknown. We can make a difference in someone's life.
Let's also stand together in prayer for our great nation and our wonderful hometowns. Please don't forget to pray for our schools.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from all my family and me.
See ya next time somewhere in the korner. kdover28@gmail.com or 573-820-2404
Comments
- -- Posted by swift on Wed, Nov 24, 2010, at 4:11 PM
- -- Posted by geezerette on Fri, Nov 26, 2010, at 10:46 PM
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