While the economic challenges are monumental, millions of Americans cling to the belief that we are a resilient nation that has conquered adversity in the past. We have emerged from world wars and the economic collapse of the Great Depression stronger and more resilient and united as a nation.
They hold great hope that the United States of America will rebound anew. The only question is, “When?”
Even in these times of economic uncertainty, most Americans recognize that we have been blessed abundantly. We have the freedom to speak our minds, to worship as we desire, to challenge our government and to go to bed each night knowing that our rights are being zealously defended by men and women in uniform on assignment around the world.
The same cannot be said of other nations. We need only reflect on the uprisings in Egypt and Libya this year to understand life under oppressive dictators and the citizens’ quest for self-rule.
We are grateful, too, for the right to vote – the bedrock of our democracy. It is a gift from our ancestors who battled for our independence and waged war for our freedoms as Americans.
This month’s election is a clear demonstration of how Americans shift from one set of leaders to another. That’s not the case in some countries, where bullets speak louder than ballots.
And we can be thankful that this is a generous and giving community where people watch out for the less fortunate among us.
Valerie Allen at the Community Kitchen expects up to 150 people for today’s traditional Thanksgiving meal, that begins at 11:30 a.m. at The Salvation Army. It’s prepared and served by volunteers, just like those who expected to provide up to 2,500 meals at Wednesday’s community meal offered by the wonderful folks associated with Barb’s Friends and Family. That’s up from 2,100 guests last year.
Robert Coit, executive director of the Thurston County Food Bank said he’s thankful for the community volunteers who gathered last Saturday and Sunday to assemble 2,400 Thanksgiving meal baskets for those families that would otherwise go without. “That’s up about 30 percent from last year, which was up 20 percent from the year before,” Coit said.
The Thanksgiving baskets come complete with turkey, stuffing mix, cranberry sauce, vegetables, potatoes, apples, Jell-O, pie mix, yams, fruit cocktail, pumpkin and canned milk. “It’s your holiday meal in a box,” Coit said.
The Food Bank had to purchase more of the ingredients this year because food donations are down in this troubled economy.
Yet, through their financial contributions and donations of time and talent, South Sound residents continue to recognize that their friends and neighbors are struggling financially. Through the generosity of the community, the poor and infirm are able to celebrate the holidays, whether it’s a community meal or a holiday meal in a box distributed throughout South Sound.
So let us pause today to remember those living among us who enjoy no bounty, and let us vow to make a difference in their lives in the weeks and months ahead.
And while we’re offering up our thanks, let’s also give thanks today for those men and women who founded this great nation and all of those who have fought for the liberties we enjoy.
Let us give thanks for the things that really matter – the richness of relationships and the countless blessings we enjoy as Americans. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about.
