Fayteen has spent many days recently worrying about her daughter, Ranna, who has been battling breast cancer, and Joy is feeling sad about the death of a very good friend. Many of you have had difficult days during this past year.
However, during this Thanksgiving week, we are inspired by the story of Abraham Lincoln, who wrote a proclamation establishing Thanksgiving Day in 1863. The nation was, as Lincoln explained, “in the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity.” This great president, who was deeply worried about his country and who often fought depression, wrote: “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies.” These bounties, Lincoln added, “are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come.”
Fayteen and I are reminding ourselves to always be thankful for big blessings like family and friends and also for simple blessings such as sunny skies, kind words and plenty of food to eat.