It's the day before Thanksgiving in the U.S. Tomorrow
families and friends will gather together to share time with each other for a
long standing holiday and tradition. Most of us will be in some warm,
comfortable environment, either a home or restaurant. Some may be at a
Salvation Army Hall or a mission or a homeless shelter or a temporary housing
situation. Most of us have much to be thankful for. Too many of us probably
can't begin to make a list of all we have and we take it for granted.
In my book, the thing we should all be thankful for in the
U.S. is the right and privilege we have to define and enjoy our personal
freedom as we choose. Maybe some folks don't realize how precious this is and
maybe you've chosen to be in a situation that doesn't make you feel very free,
but in virtually every case, that's a choice we each made in some way or
another.
I would ask that as you spend the day, wherever you are in
the U.S. and however you spend it, please remember all those who are not in
their homes this Thanksgiving due to Hurricane Sandy, the wild fires and any of
the other natural calamities that have befallen our brothers and sisters.
Remember our military and government personnel deployed around the world, the
majority of them separated from their families. Remember those who may be
homeless by choice or by circumstance. Be thankful for the many people who are
volunteering to help those who are less fortunate than themselves and doing
their best to make Thanksgiving a better day for those less fortunate folks.
I am thankful that those in important public service, health
and welfare and convenience jobs are there working for us like the police,
fire, EMT, hospital, nursing facility and gas station/convenience stores
personnel.
I am not terribly enthusiastic about the entire Black Friday
concept, but commerce is what make this country great and free. However, I am
extremely disappointed in this intrusion into the traditional holiday by so many
of the major chain stores opening on Thanksgiving Day. It really bothers me to
see news footage of people camping outside of these huge box stores and
foregoing time with family, friends and one simple day of tradition to fight
over buying more "stuff." That's a sad statement on our society and
one reason people in other countries have some negative attitudes about us. I'm
totally disappointed in the management of these retail chains who are requiring
their employees to leave their family and friends all for the sake of the bottom
line. Shame on you! But, that's just my opinion. You won't find me there
spending any money.
And to my readers around the world, I hope, if you don't
have your own "Day of Thanks" holiday, you will share in ours, count
your blessings and be thankful for your lives and what you have. If you are
able to realize your personal freedom and live the life you choose to, I hope
you are doing so. If you are not as free or don't have as many opportunities as
others, that you will continue to strive toward achieving your dreams and
personal freedom.
I also wish you safe and uneventful travels to and from your destination if you'll be away from home. My best to you all.
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