Five years ago yesterday my grandson Hank was born. His mother cleverly deemed it as our Hanks giving. The holiday in 2013 was actually on the 28th and not until this year does his birthday correspond directly. I have always had mixed emotions about 11-22 as a date as it marks the assassination of John F Kennedy. I remember my Junior High being called to the auditorium for the shocked and tearful announcement. Shootings were a rare occurrence back then. Five years of learning from Hank and seeing the world through his eyes gives me renewed hope for our future. I am certain Hank is here to make a difference in our world— we desperately need an enlightened leader. Hank and his cohort of friends are the solution. To quote Kennedy, “we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, it is to live by them.”
I will always be a trivia fan. As I pondered what I am thankful for this season I included that with family friends, and I added an independent judiciary! I am glad we have Justice Roberts and those brave souls who understand the spirit and foundation of America. So, a bit of trivia for your consideration. A group of mice is called a “mischief.” A group of kangaroos is called a “mob.” A group of Ravens is referred to as a “conspiracy.” A group of seals is a “harem.” And to round out my nature observation, a group of flamingo’s is a “flamboyance.” Did you know clownfish are all born males and when the female dies the most dominant male turns into a female. I wonder if there is any training for such a new role? Wild turkeys change their head color, it is red, white or blue depending on their mood. A blue whale has a heart the size of a car and a belly button. As we strive to find the “true north” for our Country, consider the sea otter pairs who hold hands as they sleep so they do not float apart. The bees who never sleep and who create a product that can never go bad—no never. I am thankful for a country that provides freedom and like a group of Lions- have “Pride” in our past and optimism for the future.
I hear everyone asking-what are you thankful for? I found Socrate’s views very timely to our current world. “There is only one good, knowledge, and one evil, ignorance.” He also advises “an unexamined life is not worth living”. And to conclude, “be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
A very merry un-Thanksgiving day to you. Mike