Well, it is Thanksgiving time of the year. We should be thankful all year round, but at this time of year we should stop and really put some thought into this event. After all, President Lincoln, in the midst of our Civil War found something to be thankful for and declared a day of thanksgiving. Later FDR agreed to a national holiday in 1941 (if he had known what was coming he might not have).
Our top ten list this year is a tad different as at 70+ years of age the lens is a little more myopic or whatever term applies.
- Living in a land free from war. Yes, we have violence in America, we always have and probably always will, but I am talking WAR. Cities destroyed, populations in panic and uncertainty as to the future, refugees and the destruction of land for generations. We see the Middle East, Ukraine and other countries torn and tattered even as we type. I feel those citizens will have to search hard for something to be thankful for.
- Living in a land where people have family, faith and freedom of worship. Someone whom I will not name said this is no longer a Christian nation. I disagree. Maybe those masses somewhere, but in the 'flyover land' one cannot drive over a few miles without seeing a church. This 'flyover' area changed the last election. I did not mean there is a correlation between the two, the point is rural America is faith strong and true to our founding father's vision of personal faith. We also embrace other religions, we respect them all.
- Living in a Land of Big Shoulders. Carl Sandburg wrote a poem about Chicago being this city - I propose we as a nation are a people of broad shoulders. We bear the load for freedom all through our history. We complain, we love our leisure, but when challenged by despots of the world, we have saved the world, then given back the conquests in hopes of a better world.
- Living in a land of benevolence, both local and government. Whenever disaster strikes, we respond. ‘Nuff said. Rural America is the best. Just let a farmer fall to health issues or other disaster and watch the response of combines, tractors and trucks arrive to help — all at no charge. That is what we are thankful for.
- Living in a land of free speech. This comes under attack from time to time, but we are a people who will not be silenced. We are as a country smart enough to separate truth from fiction.
- Living in a land of free press. This also has come under scrutiny lately as from the right to the left, the press seems to take sides with the thumb on the scales. But it always gets straightened out. Again, we are smarter than that as a whole.
- Living in a land of rich farmland and hard-working farmers. We enjoy the cheapest, most plentiful, safe, delicious food found anywhere in the world with local cuisines that are the world's envy.
- Living in a land that loves music. In good times, bad times scary times or war times, our nation will cry out in a song that can express our feelings, lift the national spirit or simply pass the time with unlimited musical talent.
- Living in a land of entrepreneurs. No one, ever, in the course of human history has come up with the innovations that we have as a nation. The freedoms we have, being the melting pot of an unmatched gene pool, and our resources provide the fertile ground that grows these persons. Nary a week goes by that something new doesn't hit the news or market that awes us all.
- Living in a land of laughter. We know how to laugh. We use laughter as a means of entertainment, a relief from stress, and a bonding of friendship. We as a nation laugh at ourselves — it keeps us humble. We laugh at our leaders; it keeps them humble. We enjoy making others laugh, or at least smile, to brighten up their days and reach out to our fellow man to lift each other up to a better, more enjoyable life. We are also thankful for all the turkeys out there and even old Squanto. There, you smiled, I saw you, admit it.
We hope you all enjoy this Thanksgiving season. Make your own top ten list.
