" The family noisily gathered around the big oak table, elbows resting on points that had been worn into the old boards over six generations. The aging father shushed them all to reverent silence with a simple raised hand, a powerful heavily knuckled deeply lined working mans hand, and the children knew what would come next. " In a deep baritone rumble the patriarch of the family intoned," Let us give thanks." Of the 17 children and grandchildren around the food laden table the youngest granddaughter knew she would be first to tell what she was most thankful for in her meager 5 years of life. She had been waiting for this day with much anticipation, mulling over in her mind the many joys she knew were out of the ordinary. She had many whispered conversations with Barbie dolls and teddy bears, concerned meetings in secret with imaginary friends and not a few earnest talks with Mommy and Grandmom too. She glanced up quickly at all of the expectant faces glowing at her from all around and clearing her tiny throat she began.
"This T'anksgibbing I am happy and t'ankful for lots of stuff. My new Teddy, and Barbies and nice cloths an' blue skies an' my pet chicken Mable, an' the cow that gives us milk, an' Grandpa swingin' with me, an' my friends, an' my family, an' being 'Merican, an' being free, and for Liberty, and good food, safety for us all, my pals here, and my family back home, i'm thankful for my wife who waits there and my daughter so young, who even now doesn't understand why i'm not there today, for my Mother and my Father who taught me right from wrong and to stand up and be counted when the time comes for patriots to unite, for great training that is keeping me alive, and for the United States of America. ..................and Mommy and,,,and,,,'specially my brave Daddy. He's in a sandbox and he's keeping us all free and he's far away today but Mommy says he's right here around the table with us now.
I love you Daddy. Happy T"anksgibbing.
Be humble around your table tomorrow folks, we all have a lot to be thankful for, no matter our circumstances, and the day we take for granted our freedom and good fortune is the day that Holidays will cease to be enjoyed an we will cease to be free.
Ghost.
