Thanksgiving Theme

Thanksgiving Theme

I can imagine the conversation around the Thanksgiving table between hard-core blue and red-stater family members.

Yet, I hope I'm wrong.

But you know, after hearing from the elite class during the last eight years that I'm a Bitter Clinger… hanging onto my guns and bible… am in the Basket of Deplorables…am Irredeemable… probably not college-educated (even though I hold two college degrees), am xenophobic because I care about my own country before others, and racist because I want Americans to be offered jobs before they are given to foreign illegal invaders jumping over the border, as well as all the other expletive- filled epithets of the left — all of which are condemnations from those who are themselves both morally- bereft and mentallyvoid… Well… I'm filled up to the brim.

So, don't go there.

Instead, how 'bout we spend Thanksgiving actually being thankful for what we have?

What a concept! Only, I didn't think of it first.

And, to be quite honest, there were times in my life when I felt sorry for myself and didn't quite feel as fortunate during this time of year.

For instance, Thanksgiving, 1975…

I was going to school in Florida, taking graduate courses.

Only, it was during the holiday season and all the other kids had either flown or driven home to be with their folks for the holiday.

But, I didn't have any money for that. I was stuck in the university town, which was practically lifeless, except for the locals who left some businesses open during that time.

One such place was a little restaurant — nothing fancy, to be sure — within walking distance from the campus. So, I slogged over to the place and seated myself. The waiter came over and I ordered a meal-I don't recall what it was-certainly it wasn't turkey with all the trimmings.

And I was feeling sorry for myself… really down.

For I had sold my car for cash, as well as emptied my bank account of the money I had saved the previous five years-working a side job while getting an undergraduate degree at another university — all for the chance of getting my graduate degree at a school, which was located in this town.

Home was far away.

I wondered what my family was saying about me not being home to spend Thanksgiving with them? I considered the notion that I might not be doing the right thing with my life, for the direction it was going seemed to be a lonely and unrewarding one. For rarely does the concept of “Nothing Worthy Comes Easy” occur to a young mind filled with dreams.

One thing, however, that did give me solace and comfort during those years spent in school was one particular radio program. And although I didn't know it, the program had begun that very year of 1975. It was the Ronald Reagan radio series of speeches that were presented about the time that he first considered running for president.

They truly cheered me up for they were heart-warming and inspirational. And, at least, I could afford a radio to listen to back in the dorm room, although a television was out of reach financially for me as well.

And, I was grateful for the Reagan radio spots because they were thoughtful and inclusive. I told others about it and asked if they had heard them. I proclaimed to anyone who would listen that I thought Reagan would make a fine president.

So, here is a snippet from one of his speeches, which is in the vein of those radio broadcasts, but made later — when he actually WAS President of the U.S. — words I think particularly appropriate to this Thanksgiving season: “Although we are a pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our Nation's peace and prosperity when so many in this world have neither.” — Ronald Reagan Oh, and me?

I gutted out the day and the holidays, graduating shortly before Christmas of that year. But, I never forgot the uplifting and inspiring tone in all of the radio broadcasts of Ronald Reagan… to be truly thankful for what I have.

By Robert L. Hall