Though Grandma and Grandpa are long gone, their riveting stories of the Depression, and gettin’ through WW II live on. I bring this up to point out there isn’t 25% nationwide unemployment. There are no soup lines. Women aren’t workin’ in factories making tanks, bombs, jeeps, fighter planes and such. We’re not fighting two monstrously bloodthirsty dictators hell-bent on our destruction.
One of my all time favorite Grandma stories has been told here before. Here’s the short version. During The Great Depression, Great Grandpa and Grandma, the oldest of his eight kids, a teenager at the time, hopped a freight train heading outa state. They were goin’ to shuck corn for a week or two in Nebraska. They were hired, and returned safely. Grandma said that Thanksgiving was one of the happiest, and most thankful ever. Why?
‘Cuz she and here seven brothers and sisters all got new shoes for the winter — in the same year. That’d never happened before. Those corn shucking jobs made the difference.
Fast forward to the present. There are still those who want us eliminated. Economic times are the most troubling in my lifetime.
Yet, we just showed the world that during very troubling and challenging times we can have a peaceful presidential election. The winner and loser were both gracious. The outgoing president showed the world how Americans deal with changes in leadership at the White House. It was so seamless, most of us paid little or no attention to the traditional visit of the newly elected president to the outgoing president. How many countries can say that? Exactly.
So tomorrow, as we ponder for what we’re thankful, let’s include the fact that we’re Americans. Most of the free world can be thankful they’re our friends, as so many of them wouldn’t be free if it wasn’t for America and it’s sacrifices and generosity. I’m thankful our table tomorrow will seat those born in the 1930′s, 1950′s, and 1980′s. The refugees from the ’30′s will be pressed to recount stories of Thanksgivings Past. It’s always a good thing to gain prospective from those who lived through far worse times. I know when I was a young man it helped me immensely.
The Brown’s started a new tradition last year for Thanksgiving dinner. We switched from the traditional turkey to the newer Turducken. What the heck is that you ask? It’s amazingly delicious. Take a turkey, stuff it with a duck. Then stuff the duck with a chicken. Then put your favorite stuffing in the chicken. Best part? All three birds are deboned! Can’t wait.
I’m most thankful for the last five years. Today’s the fifth anniversary for The Boss and I. On this day in 2003 we stood together at La Jolla Cove in front of family and friends, and said I Do. Still makes every Thanksgiving more special.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. God Bless you.
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Happy Thanksgiving, Bawld Guy. Enjoy that bird concoction!
Happy Thanksgiving and Congrats to you and The Boss!
Very well said!
Tom
Happy T’Day to you and your family, David. Just looked in on the bird concoction and I swear it’s begging to be in the oven.
What a heart-warming, positive message on this special day. I wish you both a happy 5th anniversary and your entire family a blessed Thanksgiving.
… Robin
Thanks Robin — the best to your family.
Maybe I have some sort of deep cosmic connection with you but I swear you have the best writing style I’ve ever seen. I share some of your posts with my fiance and friends and they all baffle over how well you write. I can easily see that you put your heart into each and every sentence and its very much appreciated.
Although I was laid off a couple of weeks ago and am still unemployed at the moment I too am still very thankful for what God has given to me.
God could have put a little more of his influence into the election if you ask me but I respect what he has allowed to happen and am thankful it was peaceful as you mentioned.
Things are looking down but yet I have this bright light inside shinning nothing but promise for the future. There’s food on the table, a roof over my head, and money in the bank. My family is with me and were in great spirits.
I will pray that God continues to bless each and every one of us and keeps us close to him and remember what I’m truly thankful for. Each breath is a blessing and and the next breath coming from me will be a big “I LOVE YOU” to my BOSS and kids.
There’s no improving on that. God Bless you and your family, Josh. And again, thank you for your service.
Jeff… so very much to be thankful for. We live in an amazing country. That allows so many of the other blessings we take for granted each day. Happy Thanksgiving to you, my friend.
BawldGuy and Josh you both bring tears to my eyes! It is so much more rewarding to be thankful for what we have rather than be wanting all the time for what we don’t.
Happy Turduken Day to you!
kk
As Americans our list seems endless. Happy Thanksgiving, Jeff.
Hey Kristal — The turducken is in the fridge taunting me. Happy T’Day Kristal.
What a great message for today. Earlier in the week I was feeling very down, I’m a realtor in this market and it’s hard to get through with a positive attitude. But, I coach and train here so I felt a responsibility to pull myself up by the boot straps and get back in the game. Today I’m vibratiing with positive energy and looking forward (and reminiscing fondly)even though things could be looked at as bleak. You really inspired me with your writing. Thank you for sharing it and a very Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Picked up my wife and her box of things this evening downtown in the Financial District. She was told yesterday that today she would be laid off.
This is when things really hit home with what’s going on in the world at large today. Yet, we’ll be joined with family and friends tomorrow to give thanks. And thanks we will give as well. Knowing that just right across the bay from were we will celebrate, my Grandmother was a Rosie in the shipyard and she and her sisters shared shoes.
Thanks for being a friend Jeff. I wish you and your family a good one as well.
Hey Shannon — Thanks so much. We all, at one time or another pick each other up, don’t we? I know your comment picked me up big time. Thanks again.
Brad — Sorry to hear about your wife’s job. That’s never good news no matter how we look at it. Sounds like our grandmas had a lot in common. They did what they had to do.
Friends always, Brad. Friends always.
Goodness,that was the most unusual turkey I’ve ever seen. It does look delicious though! Hope you had a happy Thanskgiving!
Hey Karen — It’s a turducken, not just a turkey. Pretty tasty too.