Did You Know?
Facts, Figures & Folklore about the Pilgrims
& America’s Thanksgiving
Did you know that for many Native American people, Thanksgiving is cause for mourning rather than celebration? Although the First Thanksgiving included the Pilgrims’ Native American neighbors, that spirit of cooperation did not last long between the native people and the colonists. The land and lives of the native people were pillaged and destroyed countless times during the early history of the United States of America. Racism and bigotry persist until this day. As a result, Thanksgiving has taken on greater historical significance for many Native Americans, who view that First Thanksgiving as the beginning of centuries of oppression and discrimination.
Time to Give Thanks
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Cont your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off the physical effort of rising,
Thank you, Lord that I have the strength to raise.
There are many who are bed fast.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
When socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short,
Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the ladies’ magazines,
And the menu is at times unbalanced,
Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous,
Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work.
There are many who have no work.
Even though I groan and bemoan my fate from day to day
And wish my modest circumstances were not so modest,
I thank you, Lord, for the gift of life.
Have a joyous holiday, filled with thanks and giving.
