Happy Thanksgiving

November 24, 2016

Every year around the Thanksgiving table we would tell the story of the first Thanksgiving. The cold winter of the East Coast stated to set in on the Pilgrims and they found themselves ill-prepared for the needs of the winter in the “new world”. In their moment of most need, salvation came from a most unlikely place. The Native Americans shared the bounty of that year’s harvest with their “new neighbors”. There are many variations of this story but the over-all sentiment is the same. When I think of this story I look for what lessons we can take from it. One,  if you have plenty don’t be afraid to share. This does not and should not be a government mandate, rather a genuine gesture of generosity towards your neighbor. Two, even though things look the darkest, don’t give up. If the Pilgrims had given up we would not be living in the greatest county the world has ever seen today. Three, don’t be too proud to ask for help if you truly need help. This is especially true for any of us that are dealing with issues that just seem overwhelmingly hard. There are answers, just let someone know you need help we will be there for you! Finally, look for new reasons to celebrate even during tying times. What back then seemed like a winter of starvation, turned into a celebration of life.

While we sit down around the table this holiday, let us remember those in our lives and community that has made this day possible. Let’s remember to celebrate our Armed Services personnel, our Law Enforcement personnel and our Firefighters. Remember it is the soldier not the politician that gave us the right to vote. It is the soldier not the preacher that gives u the right to celebrate God as we see fit and it is the soldier not the press that gives us the freedom of speech. Thank you to all of our service personnel, we truly do appreciate all that you do and honor your sacrifices.

From everyone at the City that is keeping our City great, let me extend a warm and heart-felt Happy Thanksgiving.