Thankful

Over 400 years ago, during the autumn of 1621, 52 English settlers were joined by members of the Wampanoag tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts to celebrate a successful harvest. Although the term “Thanksgiving” wasn’t coined until later, this celebration would become known as the first Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was first celebrated as an American holiday on November 26, 1789, after President Washington issued a proclamation.

Following the Union victory at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued his own Thanksgiving Proclamation. In it, Lincoln set forth that the holiday was to be celebrated on the final Thursday in November—the date we still celebrate today. Lincoln also called upon Americans to use Thanksgiving as an opportunity to care for their fellow countrymen affected by the Civil War and to pray that, “the Almighty Hand … heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

Many folks around North Missouri and the rest of the nation are busy prepping for another Thanksgiving holiday. It can be easy to get caught up in daily headlines filled with economic hardship, international conflict, and political squabbles. But perhaps we can take something from Lincoln’s proclamation. As Americans, the solutions to our problems require looking upward to God, outward to our communities, and inward to ourselves, trusting that the United States will continue moving forward to fulfill our American ideals. While Thanksgiving marks a great day to reflect on these, this is an attitude we would do well to carry with us year-round, giving thanks throughout for the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t offer a reminder that as you celebrate and move into the busyness of the holiday shopping season, don’t forget the backbone of our communities—our small businesses. Small Business Saturday celebrates small businesses and all they do for our local communities. They are paramount to the economies of American communities. There are many great, locally owned offerings around North Missouri. Support your friends and neighbors this Saturday and, just as with our attitude of thankfulness, we’d also do well to do that year-round. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Sam Graves