In a narcissistic, consumption-driven world where social media preening is ubiquitous, it is remarkable that we as a nation still take a day off to spend time with family, enjoy a hearty meal together, and reflect on the meaning of gratitude. Thanksgiving is a holiday that encourages us to think of others more than ourselves, and for that reason alone, it needs to be practiced and preserved.
I am thankful for many things this year.
First, I am thankful that I live in a free and prosperous country, one that still shines as a beacon of hope to the rest of humanity. Could it be more free? Yes. Could it be more prosperous? Certainly. Is the beacon of hope fading? If it is, then we owe it to ourselves and our future posterity to work diligently to keep it burning.
I am more thankful than I can express to my pioneer ancestors: the ones who made the trek to Utah, the ones who came from Czechy to Texas, the ones who established the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the ones who settled the Old Southwest and the ones who fought in the Civil War and afterward settled in Southern Illinois. The more I research my family history, the more I’ve come to realize that there are pioneers on every branch of my family tree, and that I enjoy the privileges that I do because of the many sacrifices that they made.
I am thankful to the men and women of the armed services who protect this country from the forces seeking to destroy it, not just those who are living today, but those of previous generations who gave their lives in service to their country. Because of them, we won our independence from the colonial forces of Europe, we preserved our Constitution in the face of a bloody civil war, and we quite literally saved the world from the twin evils of Fascism and Communism. There is evil in the world today that cannot be appeased, cannot be ignored, and cannot be defeated by words alone. I am thankful for the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to defeat it.
I am thankful for a loving family, for parents who made the commitment of marriage and still honor their vows to each other. I am thankful for my three sisters who still stay in touch with me and are an important part of my life. I’m thankful for nieces and nephews, for cousins and extended family, and for the many strong connections that still bind us together.
Lastly, I’m thankful for the opportunity to pursue a career as a writer. It’s not every person who gets to do this. Until just recently, there were very few opportunities to get published, and even fewer authors who could leverage publication into a full-time career. Even today, the path isn’t easy, so I am grateful to those readers who support me and make this possible.
Thank you!
