It is very nice to be here this evening to celebrate this holiday with you, which is, of course, best celebrated with fellow Americans.  But, which we are happy to share with anyone who is willing to honor its special meaning for us.

Thanksgiving is different from most holidays.  It’s not about a military victory or defeat.  It’s not really anything political…at least not unless you are a politician…but then everything is political for a politician.  It’s not exclusive to any particular church or religion, either.  It’s a tradition…a good tradition.  It’s a tradition some Europeans started a couple centuries ago to show they were thankful that they were alive – alive in a difficult place to live.

Today, we don’t think much about how thankful we are to be alive.  Instead we think about how much nicer it would be to have more of all that stuff we are going to be giving to each other in a few week at Christmas.

I’m not saying there is anything wrong with enjoying material wealth.  I like material wealth.  But I am saying that we should be thankful for it; not take it for granted.  We should remember those who are just thankful to be alive, in a difficult place.  That’s what I think this holiday is all about.

So, lets be thankful that Kata and Mike have gone to all this trouble to have us all in their home.  And lets be thankful that we are alive – and that this is not such a difficult place to live.

(Photo by kimberlyfaye)

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