This post won't be very humorous. I'm taking this time to share my thoughts on something I think all American and people who love America should take the time to consider and reflect upon. Thanksgiving is an American holiday, true, but its not really devoted to gorging ourselves in preparation for our new years resolutions a month later. Thanksgiving really is a time to think back on our nations history and be thankful not only for what we have, as citizens of such an amazing nation, but also to be thankful to those incredible men who founded our country and be respectful of how it was done. Even if you are not religious, I hope you will take the time to read this post and really give respect to the amazing men who put their faith in God as they built the nation that you both enjoy and complain about everyday. They deserve that much.
Sitting on each plate at thanksgiving dinner was a rolled up piece of paper. Grandma asked each of us to open it and read along as my aunt read it aloud. On the paper was written this letter by George Washington, October 3, 1789:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affirming them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to service of that great and glorious Being who is the Beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the courses and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd day of October, AD 1789
George Washington."
Remember what was done to make this wonderful nation what it is. Remember what those men had to go through to make it so. Remember what this country was founded on. Remember to be thankful. You'll feel better, I promise.
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