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A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!....11-28 thru 12-01-02
Billie and Mama_Bear
Posted on 11/28/2002 12:01:33 AM PST by Mama_Bear
![](http://domania.us/Mama_Bear/misc/blessings.gif)
As we come together with family and friends and bow our heads in thanksgiving, let us remember our servicemen and women who are far from home during the holidays. In remembering them, let us also give thanks for the sacrifices of their families who will have an empty chair at their Thanksgiving table this year. Let us be ever mindful of our freedoms and the price that has been paid, and continues to be paid, in order to preserve them.
This Thanksgiving Prayer, by Kathryn Kay, is thought to be the poem which inspired President John F. Kennedy's most memorable words:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."
![](http://domania.us/Mama_Bear/misc/goldcross1.gif)
Thanksgiving Prayer
God, ev'ry year about this time, according to routine, I've bowed my head in the accepted way and offered thanks, like some well synchronized machine that prayed because it was the time to pray. But, God, this year is different, this year I seem to feel America's Thanksgiving is my own, that in my nation's gratitude I have a part that's real, a part that until now I've never known. And, God, this year a deep humility has filled my heart, a newborn pride rings true thruout my soul because I do belong, because I have and am a part, a tiny part of one tremendous whole.
I think I know the feeling of those first Americans who said, "We must give thanks for this, our land." I cherish now the rights that are each woman's, ev'ry man's, the rights I've just begun to understand. This year my heart has learned what all Thanksgiving Days are for, true thankfulness at last I realize, but, God, I'm sorry that it took the tragedy of war in other lands to open up my eyes. Again I bow my head but this time deep within me stirs a mighty prayer, part of one vast design, "God, help me make America as proud that I am hers as I am proud, and grateful she is mine!"
"Thanksgiving Prayer" was published in Kay's book "If the Shoe Fits" in early November, 1941.
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In 1789, the father of our country, George Washington, issued the first official Thanksgiving Day proclamation.
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God --- to obey His will --- to be grateful for His benefits --- and humbly to implore His protection and favour: And whereas both Houses have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY of PUBLIC THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States, to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be That we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favourable interpositions of His Providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; --- for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed; --- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish Constitutions of Government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; --- for the civil and religious Liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; --- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, That we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; --- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and generally, to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington"
Thanksgiving is a time for counting blessings, for drawing near to family and friends, and for sharing the bounty of God's gifts.
Our cup runneth over; for this, Lord, we give thanks this day.
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During this Thanksgiving weekend, if you have a moment, please sit down at our table and share what you are especially thankful for, what Thanksgiving means to you, or a special holiday story, recipe or memory. There is always plenty of room at our holiday table for our Finest FRiends.
![](http://domania.us/Mama_Bear/misc/turkeybaskets.gif)
Turkey In The Straw Over The River And Through The Woods Colors Of The Wind Old Home Place Amazing Grace Give Thanks
![](http://domania.us/Mama_Bear/misc/pumpkinline.gif)
Stop by and say hello when you can. Our regular "A Few of FR's Finest" thread will return on Monday.
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons
KEYWORDS: freepers; fun; holidays; military; surprises; thanksgiving; tribute; veterans
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
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To: LadyX
Glad you enjoyed the site. ;-)
281
posted on
11/30/2002 11:13:16 AM PST
by
lodwick
To: LadyX
Well - I would have recovered sooner if I'd had some of your hugs - - (sniff, sniff) Awwwww..I'm sorry. Here ya go....with feeling. : )
Wolfie((((((((Lady))))))))Wolfie
No, wait - - that would have been a greater sugar overload, already running 300-400+, and sent me to a heavenly realm..:)))
Too late! LOL
And you are *heavenly*. : )
To: Mama_Bear
Your tree's a tad sparse, fuzzy. : )
To: lodwick; LadyX; whoever; Billie; Mama_Bear; JustAmy; daisyscarlett; dansangel; ST.LOUIE1; ...
I'll echo LadyX's gratitude for the link, JL.
Mannheim Steamroller has been playing softly in the background while the old homestead is adorned with holiday decorations.
Mrs. dd set up an area for our grandsons to enjoy and play with their own decorations. Tuesday the holiday decorations will be complimented with birthday banners etc for Logan's first birthday party. The large tree has been replaced this year with a table-top fiber-optic tree out of reach of Logan's hands.
The Christmas season seems to bring out the kids in all of us, but most important, a time to share with one another that Jesus is the Reason for the Season.
...May your days be merry and bright...
To: JustAmy
Morning Amy! How are you doing this morning? Are you behaving yourself? LOL! Here's something for you just in case.......
285
posted on
11/30/2002 11:24:04 AM PST
by
MistyCA
To: lodwick
That is awesome!
286
posted on
11/30/2002 11:24:52 AM PST
by
MistyCA
To: ST.LOUIE1
Your tree's a tad sparse, fuzzy. : ) LOL. Yes, it looks like a Charlie Brown tree now, but wait until I get through with it, it will be breathtaking. :-)
Holiday hugs......the first of many. :-)
To: Diver Dave; lodwick; whoever; Billie; Mama_Bear; JustAmy; daisyscarlett; dansangel; ST.LOUIE1; ...
Isn't it remarkable that all of us are gathered here in this Special Room of Free Republic, as comfortably as if it were in real time and physically so?
In truth, the emotional connections are important, free to give our personal thoughts and reflections, and appreciate so much together - music - the seasons of life - friends we've come to 'know.'
I - um - seem to be hallucinating.
Thought I saw Santa streak past the window with the face of algore yelling, "And remember I invented the Internet on the 5th day of Christmas!!"
LOL
288
posted on
11/30/2002 11:41:56 AM PST
by
LadyX
To: LadyX
It's a special place for me to visit for sure, but if I don't say Goodbye right now, and get some stuff done...bbl
Have a ball, y'all.
289
posted on
11/30/2002 11:46:15 AM PST
by
lodwick
To: Mama_Bear; All
Thanks for the ping Mama Bear
Hope everyone's having a great weekend
To: ladtx
May God Bless the souls of our fallen heroes, having them rest in His loving arms for all of eternity.
May the families of these heroes find comfort in the fact that there are those of us who remember their dearly departed and who appreciate their ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have.
God Bless You abundantly, {{{{{{{{ladtx}}}}}}}}
To: LadyX; lodwick; Billie; ST.LOUIE1; Diver Dave; Mama_Bear; daisyscarlett; MeeknMing; JustAmy; All
Wishing all of you here at the Finest a wonderful weekend (what's left of it) away from the crowds of holiday shoppers (UGH!)
We got caught up in it somewhat yesterday and again today. We avoided the malls - we were just out doing "errands" and had to be in the thick of it!
{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}} to all....my "Comments" page doesn't seem to be working....am I the only one? Hoping that my posts are getting through!
To: BeforeISleep
Having a great weekend, thanks, BIS. Hoping that you do the same!!
{{{{{{{{{BeforeISleep}}}}}}}}}}}
To: Mama_Bear
Your tree's a tad sparse, fuzzy. : )LOL. Yes, it looks like a Charlie Brown tree now, but wait until I get through with it, it will be breathtaking. :-)
I'm sure of it, you have the magic touch. : )
Holiday hugs......the first of many. :-)
: ) : )
This should last you throughout the holidays. : )
To: dansangel
I'm having the same comments page problems - won't refresh. Comments made are showing up though.
I think it must be a dem conspiracy. :^)
To: All
Anyone else having a prob with their 'Comments' page? Mine isn't showing posts or replies.
To: ST.LOUIE1
{{{{{{{{{{Louie-Wolfie-Man}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Having the same problems :-( See post 192.
Great to see you!
To: All
Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish FReeper FRiends!
To: Diver Dave
I think it must be a dem conspiracy. :^)heheheheh - I just KNOW you are right!
{{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}}}}
To: dansangel
{{{{{{{{{{Louie-Wolfie-Man}}}}}}}}}}}}}} Ahhhhhhhh....thank you, sweet Dansy. : )
Having the same problems :-( See post 192.
Just saw the posts.
Great to see you!
Great to see you!! We usually we miss each other. : (
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