 
Once again one of America’s most cherished holidays is upon us: Thanksgiving. If you have ever spent time overseas during late November, it quickly becomes clear that Thanksgiving is really a unique and special time. Modern Thanksgiving is often filled with family, friends, food and of course football. At mealtime there may be a moment of reflection before digging into the turkey and mashed potatoes — a prayer or perhaps a traditional reading.
One reading I have found beneficial is George Washington’s Thanksgiving Proclamation. It is not long, but is filled with wisdom and understanding. It is abundantly clear to President Washington that it was important to take time and recognize the blessings of “Almighty God… who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be” — and the reason we live in a land with many civil and religious liberties.
In his proclamation, our first President and founding father takes time to highlight something that we often miss — he was not only thankful for the blessings and mercies of God, but also thankful to God. Today, we are often quick to say what we are thankful for, but rarely extend gratitude to the person or persons responsible for our benefit. I can be thankful for my parents 60+ years of marriage — providing my brother and I a stable family from which to grow and learn, as well as an excellent example of how to make a marriage last a lifetime — but if I never am thankful to them, then my thanksgiving is somewhat shortsighted and misses the mark.
Being thankful for something is often easy. However, being thankful to someone requires genuine humility. That seems to be a virtue we have forgotten lately as we have become a very proud people — unwilling to admit our mistakes and quick to blame others for our misfortunes. Therefore this Thanksgiving let us be sure to not only be thankful for “… the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness” but also to be thankful to “the great Lord and Ruler of Nations”.
Thankful people are happier people. Let us take note of President Washington’s example of being thankful for our many blessings, but also thankful to the One who ultimately has granted them to us.
E. WERNER RESCHKE
State Representative, HD 56
Southern Klamath & Lake Counties
Capitol Phone
(503) 986-1456
Capitol Address
900 Court St. NE, H-384
Salem, OR 97301
Email
Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website
www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
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