From my perspective, I am thankful to know so many wonderful people through
my work, many of whom I count as friends. I have enjoyed getting to know them,
learning about their lives and their dreams, and helping them plan for their great
goals. I am thankful for the trust they have placed in me.
When we think of Thanksgiving, images of colonists, Native Americans, peace and
goodwill and Plymouth Rock usually come to mind. But there is more to the story,
and more to the tradition
.
Our American Thanksgiving essentially continues the age-old celebration of the
harvest feast, which stretches back as far as 3,000 years. The Jews celebrated the
Sukkoth. The Chinese celebrated the Chung Ch'ui. The Greeks and Romans had
harvest feasts of their own. The common thread? They were all celebrations of
good fortune, gratitude and relief.
Early colonial life was marked by hardship. In 1621, the Massachusetts colonists
had endured persistent hunger, and the local Native American community had been decimated by introduced diseases. But the fall of 1621 brought peace, and
farming techniques learned from the Native Americans had improved the lives of
the colonists. A day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed by Governor William Bradford,
to be shared by colonists and Native Americans. So Thanksgiving was a day of
reflection and appreciation.
Thanksgiving didn't become an "official" holiday in America until about 250 years
later. Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day holiday in 1863, when the
country was going through one of its roughest times.
Right now, while the nation is enduring a tough economic time, there is still much
to be grateful about. Our quality of life is remarkably high. America has come
through tough times in the past and I have no doubt that we will weather this
storm also.
So as we celebrate this holiday, I would like to thank all of you - I truly appreciate
the friendships and relationships we have built over the years, and the chance to
provide my guidance and insight as you pursue your objectives.
Gail and I would like to wish you a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!
