A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!....11-28 thru 12-01-02

Billie and Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

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."

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.

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.

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.

Turkey In The Straw
Over The River And Through The Woods
Colors Of The Wind
Old Home Place
Amazing Grace
Give Thanks




Stop by and say hello when you can.
Our regular "A Few of FR's Finest" thread will return on Monday.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

11-25-02 The Guild
11-26-02 wirestripper
11-27-02 Carlo3b



Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

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A reminder from Billie...

[tgslTakoma]

Thank you for the lovely Thanksgiving letter, describing a non-Martha Stewart celebration. It brought back memories of Thanksgivings past at my house. My kids are now older, and for the past few years we go to my brother's house for dinner. His house is bigger, he has all us siblings and our kids, and any of a number of friends whose families are either far away or no longer with us. He has younger kids and my sister also has little ones, so we still get the homemade centerpieces and tracked-in mud and leaves...

This year my nuclear unit is spreading its wings. One kid wants to go to brother's, one will be with me and my guy's family. I will be at both. And of course I'll sample food from both...

...and everyone in both places will be watching the Redskins beat the Cowboys. (stop laughing!... I believe in miracles)

May this Thanksgiving find you all with those you love and those that love you, if only in your hearts.

[jwfiv]

Wishing you a most bestest Thanksgiving Day.

Always appreciate your pics...it's a beautiful world we live in.

[Libertina]

What a joyful day and how blessed we are to be loved by family and friends, and that we can come to a place such as this where we are welcomed warmly everyday! Mama_Bear, this is a gorgeous thread! Beautiful colors, graphics, and sentiments! (Only to be outdone by the wonderful people residing here :) Thankyou so much for all you do here. God has indeed Blessed us and for that I give thanks!
Happy Thanksgiving Finest friends

[jwfiv]

Thanks for letting us know, and helping us remember, ladtx.

I'm always glad and grateful to see your post here on the profile thread.

I try to keep our boys and girls, men and women in mind everyday, think about what they are going through, seeing, feeling at the moment...youi help me start the day that way.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, pardner.

[Incorrigible]

[Billie]

Good morning, FReeper FRiends!

I am thankful for each and every one of you, and wish you a day and a weekend filled with good food, good health, and good friends and family.

God Bless You and God Bless Our Troops away from their families as they fight to protect and keep our country safe and strong.

[jwfiv]

Hiya, Meek...thanks for the hot chocolate every day, and that poor little gobbler today.

Happy Thanksgiving to you. May you be safe, warm, well and lucky all the way through.

[The Thin Man]

Wishing everyone at FR's Finest a wonderful Thanksgiving!

[StarFan]

God Bless You Billie. I hope your day is filled with all you desire.

[Billie]

Lori, Thank you for this beautiful and special thread today. Hope you and your family have a wonderful day!

Daisy, hope you are feeling much better.

Dansy, hello - and have a great day!

[Libertina]

What a fun float! Thanks for sharing that bit of the parade Diver Dave, because either I've missed it here or it isn't being broadcast locally.

[lodwick]

Thank you, and the same right back to you and everyone who finds their way here today.

Thank you G*d for all our many blessings. Amen.

[mhking]

Happy Thanksgiving, all!

The turducken's in the oven, the coffee's all brewed, the kids are in their rooms, James Bond is on the tube (while I wait for football),
and here I sit at the keyboard... Be well and be safe all...

[Libertina]

Isn't it funny how many coincidences happen everyday? Right after I read your turkey recipie, a man called into KVI's Kiby Wilbur show (live & doing Thanksgiving subjects) and read a POEM about this exploding bird! It was hilarious :) And because of you, I have the recipie. :)

[ST.LOUIE1]

LOL! Sounds like a fun time. I'll be there 'round two o'clock.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Carlo.

[humblegunner]

Durn right the best Country on Earth!

Happy Thanksgiving, Y'all!!!

[Aeronaut]

Hi Billie, I hope you have a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.

[Dubya]

Thank you Billie and I wish the same for you.

[ST.LOUIE1]

Happy Thanksgiving !

God bless you one and all.

[Fiddlstix]

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!