Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

For all of my friends here in the US, I wish you the many joys of Thanksgiving today! Despite this truly “unprecedented” year, we do have much to be thankful for. (I know that word is overused, but how else to describe 2020?!)

For me, there are many things. First off, I am so thankful that I don’t know anybody personally who has suffered from COVID19. Good health is truly a blessing.

Secondly, I am thankful for my slower lifestyle. It’s been hard to adjust to doing less, but that, too, is a blessing!

I am thankful for family and friends who have stayed in touch via telephone, social media, or Zoom! While I’m tired of Zooming, the ability to stay in touch and connect with others has been incredibly helpful during this time. Zoom Happy Hour has been a lifesaver!

Finally, I am thankful for all of you that follow my blog. Your support and affirmation of my blogging journey have fueled my creative juices as I plan for, take pictures, and write each post. Thanks to each and every one of you.!

And now, my friends, a little history of the Thanksgiving holiday, from a variety of sources…You know I can’t resist! Lol!

Thanksgiving History

This came from an email from Joe Biden in honor of this holiday:

The first national day of Thanksgiving, authorized by the Continental Congress, took place on December 18th, 1777. It was celebrated by General George Washington and his troops at Gulph Mills on the way to Valley Forge. It took place under harsh conditions and deprivations — lacking food, clothing, shelter. They were preparing to ride out a long hard winter.

Today, you can find a plaque in Gulph Mills marking that moment.

It reads in part — “This Thanksgiving in spite of the suffering-showed the reverence and character that was forging the soul of a nation.”

Why Thanksgiving in November?

This bit of history is from a variety of sources:

Following a Union victory at Gettysburg, and in the aftermath of the most bitter of national divisions, President Abraham Lincoln designated the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday of Thanksgiving.

He asked that Thanksgiving be “solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people.”

I hope that you and your loved ones celebrate this Thanksgiving Day as one heart. Enjoy!