GIVE THANKS
Thanksgiving Day tradition is traced back to Plymouth Plantation. I visited there recently and was reminded of the experiences of the Pilgrims and Native Americans. The hardships they faced from disease, starvation, and extreme weather were tremendous.
As I watch your children each day, I realize how much I take for granted- some simple things and some not so simple: children’s laughter, smiles, hugs, food to eat and food for thought, freedom to read what I choose, freedom to worship as I choose, good health, a FUN job. Well, you get the picture.
The delight, smiles, innocence, and candor of your children bring me joy. Their adventures and antics, curiosity and inquisitiveness give me faith in a brighter future for all of us. Your families’ encouragement, support, and validation for myself and my staff energize me. For you and your families, I give thanks. For the support and encouragement of a great staff, I give thanks.
Rev. Martha Real included the following information in a reflection she wrote just before Thanksgiving more than a decade ago (numbers are up-to-date). I do not have the original article that Martha wrote, but this summary always makes me grateful when I read it. I am grateful for the many blessings I have and for the wonderful country in which I live. This Thanksgiving, take the time to appreciate and be grateful for the family, friends and other blessings that you have. Thank you for making this a truly wonderful place.
SUMMARY OF THE WORLD
If we could shrink the earth’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look like this:
There would be 57 Asians, 21 Europeans, 14 from the Western Hemisphere, including North and South America, and 8 from Africa.
Fifty-two would be female and forty-eight would be male,
Seventy would be non-white, while 30 would be white.
Seventy would be non-Christian and thirty would be Christian.
Eighty would live in substandard housing.
Seventy would be unable to read.
Half would suffer from malnutrition.
One would be near death, and one would be near birth.
Only one would have a college education.
Fifty-nine percent of the entire village’s wealth would be in the hands of only six people, and all six would be citizens of the United States.
Nov 20, 2012
