A KLRN Thanksgiving

Jeff

The following is a transcript of a Thanksgiving message broadcast on klrnradio.com on November 22 2023. You can find them on Xitter at @KLRNRadio.

“True Thanksgiving;” – a tale that unveils the essence of gratitude, woven into the fabric of our nation’s history.

It was the fall of 1621, in a land where the Pilgrims had settled, seeking freedom and a new beginning. After a harsh winter that claimed many lives, the survivors stood resilient, embracing the promise of a bountiful harvest. As the air turned crisp, and the leaves adorned the landscape in hues of amber and gold, the Pilgrims gathered for a feast – a feast that would become the cornerstone of what we now celebrate as Thanksgiving.

But this wasn't just a feast; it was a fellowship of cultures, a testament to the power of unity in diversity. The Wampanoag, the Native American people who had inhabited the region for generations, joined hands with the Pilgrims. Together, they broke bread, shared stories, and expressed gratitude for the abundance bestowed upon them.

Amid plenty, humility reigned. The Pilgrims, facing hardships not long ago, understood the fragility of life. They knew that the fruits of their labor were not just a result of their own toil but a gift from the land and the hands that tilled it.
The True Thanksgiving wasn't just about a lavish spread; it was about breaking bread with newfound friends and acknowledging the interconnectedness of humanity. It was about gratitude, not just for the harvest but for the opportunity to forge bonds across differences.

So, on this day of Thanksgiving, a day set aside to express gratitude for our blessings, let us pause and reflect on the true meaning of this holiday.
Thanksgiving is not just about turkey and stuffing, football games, and parades. It is not just about a day off from work or school. It is not just about shopping sales and Black Friday madness.

Thanksgiving is about much more than that. It is about taking the time to appreciate the good things in our lives, no matter how big or small. It is about expressing gratitude for our family and friends, our health, and our homes. It is about recognizing the blessings that we often take for granted.

In this time of year when we are bombarded with messages of consumerism and materialism, it is easy to lose sight of what is truly important. We become caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and we forget to take the time to stop and smell the roses.

But Thanksgiving is a reminder that we should not take our blessings for granted. We should not take our family and friends for granted. We should not take our health and our homes for granted. We should not take our freedom and our opportunities for granted.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us take the time to express our gratitude for all the blessings in our lives. Let us tell our family and friends how much we love and appreciate them. Let us give thanks for our health and our homes. Let us be grateful for the freedom and opportunities that we have.

And most importantly, let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Let us be thankful for the simple things in life.

Let us be thankful for the people who make us laugh and love us.

Let us be thankful for the opportunities that we have been given.

So, as we sit around our tables this Thanksgiving or in front of the television, let us not forget the roots of this celebration. Let us remember the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, coming together in gratitude. Let us embody True Thanksgiving – a day to appreciate the abundance of our lives and the variety that enriches our nation.

​Happy Thanksgiving