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Pragmatist
Pragmatist

Thanksgiving
Wed Nov 24 2004

Other people have said it, and said it better than I can. But let us be thankful.

Not only Thursday, but every day. We have much to be thankful for, even in the midst of aches and pain, misery, month too long money to short, and a lot of other human traumas.

At least we can feel the pain. At least we have feelings that can be miserable. At least we have months to struggle through, and money that may need a lot of management, but at least we can pay the rent.

All of this means we're alive. And that's something to be happy for, because even in the midst of all the troubles, we still have another day that's likely to bring a bit of joy, a new friend, a phone call from an old friend.

I think it was Mark Twain (or maybe Abe Lincoln) who said words to the effect that people will be as happy as they make up their minds to be. So make up your mind.

I'm not happy with the way the recent election turned out, but I live in a country where I can say that out loud and in print. I live in a country that has given women the right to vote, the right to own their own property, the right to raise their children, the right to appear in public without a male escort, and the right to appear in public bare-faced. And skirts way up to here, if that's your choice.

I live in a country that has guaranteed me the right to worship as I please, or not worship as I please.

I live in a country that doesn't have a state-owned news media, so I can watch whatever television show I want, I can read whatever newspaper I want. And I can write to the paper or the TV station and tell them they're a bunch of idiots. Or...that some editor is spot on right.

My children and grandchildren are healthy. And I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in.

I have friends.

I have much to be thankful for; but sometimes if I sound like a Gloomy Gus...well, that's OK, too. I'll be fine tomorrow.

So Thursday, when you're gathered around the table with friends and family, give thanks, and remember
the poor
the homeless
the lonely
the sick
and all the others who don't have the bountiful blessings you have, and...

Give thanks, and a bit to charity.

Shalom

16 Comments
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Nov 23 2004
    AMEN!
  • From:
    Fairywishes (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Nov 23 2004
    Yep, I wish I could be thankful at all times for the life that I have. I *am* thankful for our health and our lifestyle, I just need to keep this feeling uppermost when I get low over stupid things that someone who was worrying about where their kids' next meal was coming from would laugh at.

    Enjoy your Thanksgiving.

    x
    x

    x
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Nov 23 2004
    great entry too

    happy thanksgiving, dear chaya! wish i was over there celebrating the holiday with some of you all

    sez
  • From:
    DancingButterfly (Legacy)
    On:
    Tue Nov 23 2004
    All this talk of Thanksgiving is making me want to start my own Thanksgiving ritual here in Australia! Any idea how it all started? I thought it was an American Indian ritual to start with.
  • From:
    AQuietEvening (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 24 2004
    Eyelash yarn is yarn that has a bunch of strings hanging off of it. You can find all sorts of fun yarns at Walmart... or you can probably search for it on the internet... It's fun stuff!!!!

    ~QE
  • From:
    Calantha (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 24 2004
    Well, the bellringers got a bit more than I meant to give the ogher day . . . I was reaching for a buck and a ten fell out of my purse, well I HAD to put it in the bucket then, right???????? hehehehe I can be thankful for the fact that I actually had a ten dollar bill in my purse. *smile*

    I always misquote that quote, but it's a good one . . . you're as happy as you make up your mind to be. I think it is Abe, but I'm not certain.

    My best Thanksgiving was one after my divorce when I was dead alone. I volunteered at the mission and spent the day in the kitchen, and then shared the fellowship of a family that had also volunteered. We all ate after the people in the mission had finished. So, I wasn't alone at all. It was lovely.

    I'm rambling . . . I'm off to post a poem I wrote in highschool (found while searching for tape so I can post a little something to a certain someone, or couple of someones . . . )

    I am leaving here feeling very refreshed and uplifted, thank you for a wonderful and thoughtful entry.

    Love,
    Cal
  • From:
    Yetzirah (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 24 2004
    So, now that you are so rested and all, does this mean I have no chance whatsoever of winning at Cribbage?

    :-)
  • From:
    Dreamerbooks2003 (Legacy)
    On:
    Wed Nov 24 2004
    And I'm thankful for a pal like you!!!
    Have a great day with your daughter and kids
    {{{{{{{{{{{{hug}}}}}}}}}}}}}
    Peg
  • From:
    Dustbunny3 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    We do have so much to be thankfull for ,for MRE meal is not all that great and family so far away,
    it was a toss up stationed in Guam as Thanksgiving or Christmas was the hard times to be so far from family . Some times we forget the warmth of family love and the smells and taste of all the great food that comes rushing over us.
    But it always come around about this time of year
    to dream of those special times.
    Like a GOOD Night,s REST and a great new morning.
  • From:
    Bubbles1956 (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    "I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in" I love that. You are so right about the place we live. Happy Thanksgiving to you.

    Sheryl
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    well done!!! i'm very happy to hear that :)
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    hey chaya,

    i have no idea what that flower is sorry :((
  • From:
    Calantha (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

    Today I am thankful for my Dear Diary friends. Have a blessed day.

    [album 128148 thanks10.gif]


    Turkey animation from:
    www.animationgrove.co.uk/
  • From:
    Ichandra (Legacy)
    On:
    Thu Nov 25 2004
    hi chaya
    in reply to your comment oh no it was nothing unkind that I said I just said in yetzirah's journal that I agreed with you that I think it is a good idea to contribute financially to Hamiko.

    thanks for letting me know have a great day

    yes we have a lot to be thankful for that is so true and like you say even to feel pain is a blessing wouldnt it be awful to be a cold hearted thug
    shalom
  • From:
    Sezrah (Legacy)
    On:
    Fri Nov 26 2004
    nope, didn't get that msg ;)
  • From:
    TraumaMama (Legacy)
    On:
    Sat Nov 27 2004
    The doctor put my mom on some new meds for her legs and she is sleeping too! Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!!