Travels in Grants

Well, some say Thanksgiving started with the Pilgrims. Some say it started with the Spanish in Texas and Florida. Afterwards, different States celebrated at different times. Surprisingly, it was Lincoln who declared the final Thursday in November as a national holiday. It was during the Civil War when our Nation was bitterly divided. He thanked God for our blessings and called on the American people, 'with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience. Fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation.'

Thought l'd review Thanksgiving to prepare for Christmas. A quiet dinner with a dear friend started the holiday. Then phone calls to longtime friends across the country. After cleaning, shopping, cooking and travelling, finally the feast itself. The hostess was excited and busy with the logistics of feeding an army-sorry I didn't have a chance to talk with her. Our group around the table was an example of how humans [and countries) behave worldwide. There was a man in the middle of one of the good periods of life - promotions, payraises, everyone loved him.

Do I smile and say that's nice while I learn humility? Do I remember with fondness one of the times in my life when the living was easy? Or do I remind myself that the measure of a man is not determined by his bank account? An attractive sexy woman invites prolonged conversations. But you can't really get to know a woman by talking to her chest or bottom. Before the male mass migration to the TV set [while dishes are being washed], the sports fan lights up describing a great game and tonight's team. A mother sitting opposite her teenage child [who's world view and morals are diametrically opposed to hers, has a perplexed look wondering if this is really flesh of my flesh, or maybe the hospital switched babies. Should she go into a 20-minute lecture about the right way to live, expecting a conversion and an enthusiastic thank you? Or should she just ty to understand how the opposition developed? Of course, there's the person who somehow knows how to push your buttons. Do you retreat into a sullen silence that spoils the rest of the evening? Do you retaliate with some clever snide remarks? Do you let it go and focus on a conversation with someone you like? You've seen several family members and friends mature over the years, becoming more understanding, self-sacrificing and loving. Should you say 'I'm so proud of you' You think about those who couldn't come to the table this year. You think and feel for those who will nevermore be at this table. You give thanks for ALL the people there, and life and the year's blessings and the strength to survive the year's difficulties and disasters.

Today's lesson: Gratitude is one of the finer qualities of the human condition.