On September 6, 1620, a group of travelers set forth from Southhampton, England with the best of intentions, forgetting that’s what the road to hell is typically paved with. Nearly 400 years later, some of those unquestionably good and some of those unspeakably ugly, we celebrate this day by giving thanks for the best of those days, for our family and friends, and for the other blessings in our life.
Some of the pilgrims came to this nation looking to establish their own godly colony, but with those religious travelers came an even larger group of secular (or at least not religiously motivated) farmers, sailors, and adventurers (collectively called “The Strangers”). America’s roots aren’t inextricably planted in Christianity, but they do grow deep and twisty into a sense of adventure and hopefulness, watered by the tiny voice that whispered into the ear of our ancestors, “Go West, young man.”
On this Thanksgiving, I’m thankful for my children and my husband. I’m thankful for my parents, my brother, my grandparents, my extended family. I’m thankful for dear friends, both the ones I know in person and the ones who remain thus far typed text on a screen, but who still offer helpful advice, support, and love. I’m thankful for the freedom to speak my mind about government and religion. I’m thankful for our decision to homeschool Captain Science and for the many blessings we have had over this year. Finally, I am thankful for the varied and diverse roots of this nation, that we do not come from any one people, from any one idea, from any one faith. Homogeneity is practically unAmerican, and I consider that a great blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving, folks!
