Thankful
A Special Friday Forza
It’s that time of year again—Thanksgiving. I waited until the end of a busy week, as a prelude to our only national holiday celebrated by everyone, to write to you. Prodded by some dear colleagues to share, I’ve pulled together my thankful list.
For me, the exercise is far better than New Year’s resolutions. I once had an associate (you know who you are) express gratitude for every item or task he handled, as a constant reminder of what thanks is really about.
But that’s not what this holiday is only about. It’s really about freedom—the unprecedented freedom represented by our nation, a great nation—for which we owe gratitude to both God and the millions who created it, fought for it, and defend it still today (cue Lee Greenwood).
If you, like I, are watching The American Revolution—the new Ken Burns documentary — you’ll be reminded of the sacrifices a nascent union made…the horrific conditions of wars fought to be free, the countless examples of bravery from women, men, and children; the struggles of enslaved people who endured and suffered even more consequences of being unfree; the unimaginable loss of property, resources, and life; and yet the sweet victory that survives, almost 250 years later, because of it all.
The prelude to that, of course, is the arrival of our first Pilgrims, which led to the first Thanksgiving. Too many children go through school without that knowledge now—tarnished by a string of misguided revisionist history that makes it a near federal offense to let pre-schoolers dress up like the Indians and Pilgrims who celebrated together, as my kids once did — or even to examine the truth behind the complex relationships between Native American tribes and the new settlers that led to it.
The great news is it’s all documented—and has been updated thanks to William Bradford’s own diary and subsequent research. I’ll be writing more about that and sharing it with friends and followers next week. But back to my thankful list. I’d love to know yours!
What I am thankful for during this Thanksgiving time…
For our God-given natural rights—life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness among them.
For the gift of being able to write about, speak about, and advocate for those rights.
For a community of givers (Adam Grant’s book is illustrative of who they are) who consistently do that and more — offering themselves and their work to the needs of the most vulnerable, particularly our children.
I am thankful when God, in His innumerable ways, asks me to speak up for what is best — and to stand down when calmer approaches should prevail, and
That I know and can use words like “innumerable.”
And for the understanding of others when I don’t understand.
I’m thankful for…
An education I’ve been privileged to have, which helps me discern these many things.
And finally, for the education we are delivering more and more every day to our youth—and helping our adults in need achieve—through the many transformational acts that abound across this great nation.
I end with my favorite kid art at this time of year, courtesy of my youngest, some 30 years ago.
Happy Thanksgiving Week, my friends. Grateful for you! Jeanne
Wait, before you go… don’t forget to sign up for the 5th Annual Yass Prize Awards at the Power of Innovation Summit in Washington, DC on December 4th. You will be grateful I told you!