Happy Thanksgiving! Today I am grateful for the first settlers that came to this country so many years ago. They crossed an ocean unsure of what lay ahead in pursuit of freedom in a New World. A couple of years ago I did some research on Ancestry.com and found that my Dad’s family was one of those families that made the journey across the ocean from England. They settled in Connecticut and then came south to Virginia and North Carolina. It was amazing to finally figure out how it all happened. Maybe someday I will dig deeper into my Mom’s family and Keith’s. It is always good to know where you came from.
I cannot imagine what it must have been like to cross an ocean in a ship in those days. And those that did make it here were not always guaranteed a better life. Everything had to be built from scratch. Food had to be sourced, shelter had to be built, safety was always a concern. Yet, the new settlers endured hardships to create that New World that we call home today. And as the story goes, after enduring those hardships, new friends shared their abundance with them. Now, centuries later, families and friends gather on this day and have a bountiful feast and take time to reflect on what we are thankful for.
Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday to celebrate. I hope today you have abundant food to eat and more than that, abundant good times with those that mean the most to you.
Quote and numeric graphic by Kristen Creech from her 30 Days of Gratitude kit.
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