Thanksgiving

Our Thanksgiving is not just about food. The food is important to be sure but I would say it is more about ideas. Not just sissy stuff like being glad you have so much stuff. It is about noble and virtuous ideas. I am talking about God, freedom, sacrifice, faith, gratitude, family, country, love, honor, and tradition. Heavy stuff that sets in deep, changes, and lifts me.

You know how you get so much out of Christmas because of the songs. It is the same for Thanksgiving.
 "Dear Father make a us truly glad on this Thanksgiving day."
"The hand of God is over all, is over all."
 "He chastens and hastens his will to make known."
 I was fortunate enough to be sitting in the middle of Aunt Kass, Scott, and Kelly. It sounded extra nice.

In addition to the songs Grandma reminded us of our family motto. Be kind to those who love you, and thank God you have a place in the family circle. I like it and think about it on occasion.

Dad is good about bringing in the Gettysburg Address, and two editorials printed in the Wall Street Journal every year "The Desolate Wilderness," and "And the Fair Land."

About the photographs, starting in order. Perfect pumpkin pies made by my Mom. Cooks in the kitchen. The potatoes masher Kelly used to mash 30 lbs of potatoes by hand. James and Grandma playing the grand march. Everyone lining up for the grand march. Steven and Anna reading some Thanksgiving poems. Jeff leading the "Turkey Trot." Seth playing "We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet."