ALT-2 Should Thanksgiving be a Holiday
Chances are we can think of nobody in this country who should not be grateful. In a land of opportunity with freedoms of speech, press and religion, perhaps we take them for granted. By setting aside a day on which to consciously be thankful, we slow down the rapid pace in which we live with the objective of expressing our appreciation. Because there is absolutely nobody here who should be ungrateful, Thanksgiving should, indeed be a legal national holiday.
Look at all the freedoms we possess. We can live where we choose; we can speak our mind as long as we are not harming others in doing so, and we can choose where we wish to worship God, calling Him whatever name our religion uses. Our families can grow food; travel freely throughout the country and beyond. We can make our own choices concerning who we marry, what educational facility we attend, and who we wish to have run our governments, whether local, state-wide or national.
Remember that we can even be disgruntled about something government does or does not do; how our employer handles employees; health insurance coverage or lack thereof, or any number of other topics. We can protest, air our opinions and carry pickets without fear of being thrown in prison, unless we disrespect rights of others or threaten them. Why? Because we have these freedoms.
Unless people have a job at a hospital, border, media or police station or ambulance, most have the entire day gifted to them by their employer. They are free, therefore, to gather with family and/or friends to dine together in a spirit of gratitude, community and joyfulness over being together.
Those who are believers in a God or some greater power are free to worship, pray and sing praises in whatever fashion they choose. By setting aside a specific day, we are reminded of just how special these rights and freedoms are to us. We are also reminded that in many parts of the world, men, women and children can only dream of having such rights.
In all honesty, how much time would we normally spend even thinking about the above-mentioned rights and freedoms? Most likely the answer would be “very little.” By keeping Thanksgiving a national legal holiday, we know at least once a year we will do so. The additional blessing for having this holiday is that family and friends travel from near and far to gather together. We are blessed.
