Over the last forty-plus years, America and the world have been on a seemingly endless roller coaster ride. We have soared to greatness in so many ways. And we have plunged headlong into the darkness. From incredible achievements in science, medicine, space exploration, new technologies, and a myriad of other areas, most, but not all of us, have had our lives improved and enhanced. But there has always been pockets of poverty and great need sprinkled throughout the land. Nor have we made great strides in eliminating either.
In 1964, when I was a college freshman at a Catholic college in Louisville, a group of us would spend one weekend a month working with a priest in the foothills of the Appalachia's in eastern Kentucky. This was coal country at one time. Then it had become the site of the most soul-grinding impoverishment imaginable in America. We brought a group of businessmen with us once and they were stunned by the poverty and want that existed not fifty miles from wealth and prosperity. And if we went back there today, I doubt we would find that much had changed.
And in 2008, it is almost unbelievable that tens of thousands of us will be facing perhaps not that level of need but certainly extreme diminution of our previous circumstances. There is so much that needs to be done. And while our new president and his administration are well aware of all of this, the needs of so many must perforce be momentarily postponed while they tackle a financial disaster which threatens even greater numbers of Americans. And at the same time ensure the security and safety of our nation from threats from without and within.
So what am I most thankful for today? I am thankful that I have been blessed with modest success in life that has allowed me to do so many things that others can only imagine. I am thankful for my partner in life as we celebrate our 29th Thanksgiving together. I'm thankful for the love and companionship of our two wonderful Labs.
But I am most thankful that by the innate hopefulness and greatness of my fellow Americans, they put aside thier misgivings and prejudices for the greater good to choose Barack Obama as our next leader.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Comments are closed on this story.