The United States is celebrating Thanksgiving today.  It’s a day to sit back, take stock of the good things in your life, and give thanks to the deity of your choice for them. 

It’s also a day for lots of turkey, football, family, and ironically (and unfortunately) the day that people rush out to buy the things they want at extremely low prices.

A Quick History Lesson

Tradition holds that the “First Thanksgiving” was held by the Pilgrims in 1621 to celebrate the harvest and give thanks to God for seeing them through the year.  That festival, which lasted three days, was celebrated with the Wampanoag tribe. 

The Thanksgiving holiday that we enjoy today wouldn’t be ritualized until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln issued an order declaring the last Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving, and it wouldn’t be fixed to the fourth Thursday in November until 1942.

What I’m Thankful For

I have a lot to be thankful for.  Some of those things are:

• My wife, who is an amazing woman who puts up with a lot from me.  She is the rock in my life, and I would be lost without her.
• My kids, who push me to keep learning more and never settle so they can have a chance at even better opportunities than I have.
• A great community that now includes many friends and has provided opportunities to learn from the best at what they do
• A great boss and amazing co-workers

Today is a day to think about the people and the things that you’re thankful for.