Lest We Forget
Image via WikipediaWe are a land of immigrants. This is an important fact to remember. This is a land where our forefathers and foremothers came to escape political, religious and academic persecution. But, lest we forget, this is also the land were some of our ancestors were forced to come in chains. Ripped from their homes, their families, their lives. Many of our loved ones spent years of persecution here, in this land of the Free, at the hands of those who had just escaped the tyranny of their homelands.
Lest we forget, there are also those of us with ancestors who called this land home, long before the Europeans came. We knew the greatness of this land of Plenty. We talked to the Great Spirit and gave thanks daily for the blessings. We thanked our four-legged, winged and finned brothers and sisters for sharing them selves with us; we thanked Mother Earth for the blessings of the earth; and we protected and respected the silent Ones who grew around us.
Lest we forget, this land is not home to only those with enough money to buy whatever they want or whomever they want. This is a land were the dream of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" exists for all who will have it. This is a land were we, The People, pull together in crisis to help our brothers and sisters regardless of race, color, creed, sexual origin or nationality. This is a land, lest we forget, that was founded on the idea that freedom was the birth right of ALL, not a few.
As we sit round our tables on this Day of Thanks, let us be mindful of our roots, let us tell our children the stories of how and why we came to this land called, America. Lest we forget, let us remind all that this is a land in which Mother Liberty raises her touch high to light the way, offering respite to all.
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
May God bless us all and continue to gift us with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
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Comments
What a beautiful post. We have plenty to be thankful for and I give thanks everyday to breathe freedom of this great land.
May you continue to be the beacon of light for all who are struggling in darkness. Happy Thanksgiving and many well wishes for all who surround you.
Peace my friend.
Blessings!
Hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed one!
Everyday is truly a blessing! We all have so much to be thankful for during the course of everyday- starting with each new day.
Lest we forget- forgetting can be so easy when your not living your convictions constantly;when swayed by a high paced society, competition, material gain, etc.
There are many things that can take our attention away form what really matters and it has happened;thats why I'm thankful for this writing on "Gratitude" It cause one to reflect on what was; what is and what needs to be!
Thanks Linda!!
Greetings, Betty! I so appreciate your kind words. Living in gratitude is not easy, especially when things are difficult. However, when we are able to keep our focus on being grateful, even for the hardships, Life is a constant banquet of gifts!
Blessings to you and yours!