The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
Thanksgiving
My yoga mat
My family, and for their unconditional love and support through all my life phases
My husband, and for his humor and thoughtfulness in all things great and small
My friends and their love and sisterhood that has supported me through many challenges
Living in a beautiful state, where I look the blue sky and sunshine everyday and feel grateful
My dogs, for their gentle never-ending love- I strive to be the person that they think I am
My country – for living in a place where I can vote, earn my own living, have free speech, and educate myself
Being privileged enough to never go hungry, unless I choose to
That even though my feet hurt when I walk, run or workout too much, I still have the health and physical ability to be active.
My school
My family and friends
My house, the food and drinks we have, and our clothing.
Small families that keep in contact!
Cousins who change locations so that we can visit them!
Experiencing retirement so that when I retire again I know I'll like it!
Living near family
Working from home
The ocean at my front door every day
My rescued greyhound Lola and all the goofiness and love she's brought to our lives
Both of my parents are alive and happy
Meeting THE man who compliments me best and makes me rise up to my full potential
My friends both near and far and the laughs we share
Clean water out of my faucet 24/7
My body is strong and healthy
I can vote, even if my people didn't win
I can drive 2 hours to the desert, mountains or beach
Being smart and getting to hang out with, work with and live with smart people
My community
Living by water and watching birds searching for fish
Writing
My home
My father finding someone to love again
My nieces and godchildren
Sunshine!
Coffee in the morning
Travel
People who live with eyes wide open, and treat the planet and all of its inhabitants with love and respect.
People who choose to adopt a pet and save a life, instead of buying from a pet store and supporting a cruel, horrible industry.
Chinese delivery in a one traffic light town
The entire "Real Housewives" phenomenon.
My blender
Living in a beautiful area.
Having a great aunt who taught me how to be a great aunt.
Sports
The smell of my children
The fact that I have a career that still keeps me on a steep learning curve after 20 years
15 years of more better than worse with my husband
The feeling that even though I may be halfway through my life, I still have so much more to do, see and learn…
A loving husband, great kids, comfortable home, good health, loving parents and family. But what I'm really thankful for are my friends. They are the icing on my cake. Nothing is sweeter than time spent with good friends.
I love this posting. I can "second that emotion" on nearly every single one of these lines of gratitude. Thank you Laura for sharing these and for making me remember to be so grateful for all of the people in my life. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving, I miss you!! xoxo Pam
ReplyDeleteThis is so great. Many of those things fall on my list too. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, sweet LL. xoxo JL
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