On this Thanksgiving, when the world appears stuffed with insufferable strife and stress, it’s worthwhile to evaluate the Thanksgiving Proclamation written by President Abraham Lincoln, sealed on October 3, 1863.
What was Lincoln considering when he put aside the final Thursday in November as a day of “thanksgiving and reward to our benevolent Father who dwells in heaven”? Chances are high the president was contemplating the earlier month’s Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia, a Accomplice victory and the second bloodiest engagement of the Civil Struggle. Optimism would appear like a idiot at the hours of darkness ages.
However in his proclamation, Lincoln’s pen didn’t lament the battle and its aftermath. As an alternative, he rejoiced in “the blessings of fertile fields and wholesome skies.” Within the midst of “a civil battle of unparalleled magnitude,” Lincoln famous that the nation was not combating international adversaries; its factories, farms and mines boomed; its inhabitants grew.
So the Puget Sounders have lots to be glad about, too. It isn’t the low unemployment or the colourful financial system or (comparatively) purposeful governments – though these are to not be dismissed. Moderately, it’s the hope that if we deal with all that’s proper amongst us, we could also be given the grace to appropriate all that’s mistaken.
It begins with an acknowledgment of the little issues that convey us satisfaction. It may be something – a great music on the radio, a golden leaf on the pavement, the snowy peaks of the Olympic mountains. And the peculiar individuals who brighten up our occasions – the canine walker with ever-changing hair who affords treats to all of the canines on his route, the postman who carries the payments and spam with gleeful conviction, the uncommon one who catches the attention of a passer-by and nods hey .
It’s the optimistic experiences that give us the power to persevere.
There might be many meals today the place sure subjects might be off-limits to keep away from damaged emotions and presumably damaged plates. Simply as Lincoln acknowledged the “deplorable civil strife by which we’re inevitably concerned,” we can’t gloss over the variations that may decide what sort of future we are going to share.
However allow us to, a minimum of for at some point, try for what Lincoln hoped could be the nation’s future: “the complete enjoyment of peace, concord, tranquility and union.”
Whether or not you are attending a household gathering, cooking a turkey dinner alone within the microwave, or skipping all of it in favor of watching the Seahawks on TV, we should give thanks and hope for brighter days forward.
