The year: 1881.
The month: May.
The place: DeSmet, SD.
That was the year of endless blizzards. The year the people of DeSmet nearly starved and froze to death. The year that train after train tried to reach DeSmet with desperately needed supplies, only to stall in snowdrifts so high and so hard that no amount of steam power could blast a path to the tiny town.
And so it was that all those supplies stayed neatly frozen in the stalled trains until the snow finally melted in May.
Sure, the people of DeSmet could've raised their fists to Heaven and railed against God but they didn't. In May of 1881, as they sat down to the first proper meal they'd enjoyed since Autumn (complete with butter!!!), on their lips was only gratitude. Pa Ingalls expressed it best when he said simply, “Lord, we thank Thee for all Thy bounty.” Laura observes, "That was all Pa said, but it seemed to say everything."
This year we too say from our hearts, “Lord, we thank Thee for all Thy bounty.”
Thanksgiving, 1780
Feasts at harvest time have been enjoyed by every culture from time immemorial. As long as there have been harvests, there have always been harvest feasts.
For most of us, Thanksgiving Day and food are almost synonymous. How well I remember the indescribable fragrance of my grandparents' home on Thanksgiving Day. The delectable scent of constantly basted turkey combined with the yeasty waft from warm dinner rolls joined by the hot, citrus smell of the dishwasher. That is the fragrance of Home.
With his glasses perched on his nose, Grandpa scientifically carved the succulent turkey, his big greasy fingers secretly shoving the most delectable tidbits into the mouths of his four granddaughters. Precious memories!
While Thanksgiving in modern America is mostly about stuffing yourself to the gills, the Thanksgivings of America's founding were devoted to prayer, repentance and, as Massachusett's Governor John Hancock wrote in 1780, "...to offer our fervent Supplications to the GOD of all Grace, that it may please Him to pardon our heinous Transgressions."
When I read those words I wondered what the good people of 1780 could possibly have done that could be considered "heinous" compared to NPR's November 3rd airing of the sounds of an abortion on Morning Edition. What possible transgression Governor Hancock's constituents could've possible committed compared to Balenciaga's recent pedophilia themed advertising campaign!?! I will not post the pictures here.
For most of us, Thanksgiving Day and food are almost synonymous. How well I remember the indescribable fragrance of my grandparents' home on Thanksgiving Day. The delectable scent of constantly basted turkey combined with the yeasty waft from warm dinner rolls joined by the hot, citrus smell of the dishwasher. That is the fragrance of Home.
With his glasses perched on his nose, Grandpa scientifically carved the succulent turkey, his big greasy fingers secretly shoving the most delectable tidbits into the mouths of his four granddaughters. Precious memories!
While Thanksgiving in modern America is mostly about stuffing yourself to the gills, the Thanksgivings of America's founding were devoted to prayer, repentance and, as Massachusett's Governor John Hancock wrote in 1780, "...to offer our fervent Supplications to the GOD of all Grace, that it may please Him to pardon our heinous Transgressions."
When I read those words I wondered what the good people of 1780 could possibly have done that could be considered "heinous" compared to NPR's November 3rd airing of the sounds of an abortion on Morning Edition. What possible transgression Governor Hancock's constituents could've possible committed compared to Balenciaga's recent pedophilia themed advertising campaign!?! I will not post the pictures here.
The First Federal Thanksgiving
The year was 1789 and Congress had finally completed the Bill of Rights. According to www.wallbuilders.com, their very next act was, "to wait upon the President of the United States to request that he would recommend to the people of the United States a Day of Public Thanksgiving and Prayer."
President Washington couldn't say "yes" fast enough. He wrote:
President Washington couldn't say "yes" fast enough. He wrote:
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor. . . . Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November [1789] . . . that we may all unite to render unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection. |
But...but...but what about the separation of Church and State?
Well, for starters, the now infamous "wall" quote by Thomas Jefferson wasn't penned until 1802. And secondly, President Washington did not violate the whole "make no law respecting an establishment of religion" thing. His statement was ecumenical. He specified no particular denomination nor religion.
Global Gratitude
One of the things that most fascinates me about the human race is how, not only did God engrave Right and Wrong on our very souls, but also good manners.
Every culture has highly refined codes for courtesy and etiquette. Every culture has some kind of "grace" they say before eating.
When we got married, Michael and I talked it over and chose to repeat the same blessing our grandparents always said: "Come Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest, And Let These Gifts, To Us be Blessed." It's always amazed me that our dogs, Adele and Cleo (she died this Summer), have never stolen the food off our plates while our eyes are closed during Grace. It's like they just know.
In Judaism, there are different blessings for different meals and foods. Over bread they say, "Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-alom ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz" which translates to, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has brought forth bread from the earth."
In Japan, before eating they say, "Itadakimasu" and after eating, "Gochisousama."
And if you've ever watched the adorable YouTube channel, Tribal People Try, you will always hear them murmur, "In the name of God" before their first ever experience of Big Mac...or pop rocks!
Every culture has highly refined codes for courtesy and etiquette. Every culture has some kind of "grace" they say before eating.
When we got married, Michael and I talked it over and chose to repeat the same blessing our grandparents always said: "Come Lord Jesus, Be Our Guest, And Let These Gifts, To Us be Blessed." It's always amazed me that our dogs, Adele and Cleo (she died this Summer), have never stolen the food off our plates while our eyes are closed during Grace. It's like they just know.
In Judaism, there are different blessings for different meals and foods. Over bread they say, "Baruch atah Adonai eloheinu melech ha-alom ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz" which translates to, "Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has brought forth bread from the earth."
In Japan, before eating they say, "Itadakimasu" and after eating, "Gochisousama."
And if you've ever watched the adorable YouTube channel, Tribal People Try, you will always hear them murmur, "In the name of God" before their first ever experience of Big Mac...or pop rocks!
There is Always Something to be Grateful For
As most of you know, Michael and I have just moved house. A sudden, almost overnight move. A spontaneous move that was so unlike us, we can only look back and marvel how God jolted us out of our rut and into a better place, a better life when our need was more dire then we even realized even if the financial side hasn't worked out as we planned. Long story that subscribers are already familiar with.
One of the first things I did in our new location was buy a small notebook to take on job interviews. The cover is embossed with the phrase, "There is always something to be grateful for" and indeed there is!
Yes, life is hard. Ridiculously hard. Unnecessarily hard. But so many people go around with their lip dragging on the ground, exuding "Woe is Me" from every pore. Perhaps they experienced one or even two great adversities in their life and don't you ever forget it!
Then there are the others who've experienced a bizarre, mind-blowing, it-strains-credulity amount of abuse, exploitation, bereavement, poverty and ill health and yet, somehow, they keep their zest for life. Their lip doesn't drag. They don't reek of "victim." In fact, they're always looking 'round for opportunities to do good to others.
And why? Because they're grateful. Because they refuse to "curse God and die," as it says in Job. Because no matter how bad things are, they could always be worse. For example, as horrible as Fake Biden is, Hillary would've been so much worse!
See? There's always something to be grateful for!
One of the first things I did in our new location was buy a small notebook to take on job interviews. The cover is embossed with the phrase, "There is always something to be grateful for" and indeed there is!
Yes, life is hard. Ridiculously hard. Unnecessarily hard. But so many people go around with their lip dragging on the ground, exuding "Woe is Me" from every pore. Perhaps they experienced one or even two great adversities in their life and don't you ever forget it!
Then there are the others who've experienced a bizarre, mind-blowing, it-strains-credulity amount of abuse, exploitation, bereavement, poverty and ill health and yet, somehow, they keep their zest for life. Their lip doesn't drag. They don't reek of "victim." In fact, they're always looking 'round for opportunities to do good to others.
And why? Because they're grateful. Because they refuse to "curse God and die," as it says in Job. Because no matter how bad things are, they could always be worse. For example, as horrible as Fake Biden is, Hillary would've been so much worse!
See? There's always something to be grateful for!
We Are So Grateful For You
This Thanksgiving, Michael and I are so grateful for each of you. Grateful for your readership. Your visits to the newly restarted Breaking News page. Your comments, emails, texts and donations.
On this beautiful Thanksgiving morning which began gray and overcast from yesterday's chemtrailing but is now sunshiny with blue skies, I leave you with the lyrics of the song Pa Ingalls played on his fiddle after that memorable feast in May of 1881.
On this beautiful Thanksgiving morning which began gray and overcast from yesterday's chemtrailing but is now sunshiny with blue skies, I leave you with the lyrics of the song Pa Ingalls played on his fiddle after that memorable feast in May of 1881.
“This life is a difficult riddle, For how many people we see With faces as long as a fiddle That ought to be shining with glee. I am sure in this world there are plenty Of good things enough for us all, And yet there’s not one out of twenty But thinks that his share is too small. Then what is the use of repining, For where there’s a will, there’s a way, And tomorrow the sun may be shining, Although it is cloudy today. | Thank you all for your more-than-generous donations to help us catch up on our unexpected moving expenses. Almost there! givesendgo.com/lenorathompsonwriter |
Do you think that by sitting and sighing
You’ll ever obtain all you want?
It’s cowards alone that are crying
And foolishly saying, ‘I can’t!’
It is only by plodding and striving
And laboring up the steep hill
Of life, that you’ll ever be thriving,
Which you’ll do if you’ve only the will.”
You’ll ever obtain all you want?
It’s cowards alone that are crying
And foolishly saying, ‘I can’t!’
It is only by plodding and striving
And laboring up the steep hill
Of life, that you’ll ever be thriving,
Which you’ll do if you’ve only the will.”
"They were all humming the melody now," Laura writes in The Long Winter, "and when the chorus came again, Mrs. Boast’s alto, Ma’s contralto, and Mary’s sweet soprano joined Mr. Boast’s tenor and Pa’s rich bass, singing the words, and Laura sang, too, soprano:"
“Then what is the use of repining,
For where there’s a will, there’s a way,
And tomorrow the sun may be shining,
Although it is cloudy today.”
For where there’s a will, there’s a way,
And tomorrow the sun may be shining,
Although it is cloudy today.”
"And as they sang, the fear and the suffering of the long winter seemed to
rise like a dark cloud and float away on the music."
rise like a dark cloud and float away on the music."
Happy Thanksgiving, Patriots! #trumptriumphant
This post first appeared on Lenora Thompson, Writer Of Narcissism, please read the originial post: here
