First Thanksgiving of All

Some thoughts from a favorite book of mine: PURE LOVE - readings on sixteen enduring virtues - selected with reflections, by Marilyn Arnold.........

"I do not know of any, excepting the unpardonable sin, that is greater than the sin of ingratitude," said Brigham Young, (Journal of Discourses 14:277) In the United States, and in other countries too, the idea of gratitude has been formalized bya national holiday. In the United states we typically observe the occasion by honoring the Pilgram fathers and mothers who gratefully made a feast from simple fare.

FIRST THANKSGIVING OF ALL

Peace and Mercy and Jonathan,
And Patience (very small),

Stood by the table giving thanks

The first Thanksgiving of all.
There was very little for them ot eat,

Nothing special and nothing sweet;

Only bread and a little broth,
And a bit of fruit (and no tablecloth);

But Peace and Mercy and Jonathan
And Patience, in a row,
Stood up and asked a blessing on
Thanksgiving, long ago.

Thankful they were their ship had come
Safely across the sea;
Thankful they were for hearth and home,
And kin and company;

They were glad of broth to go with their bread,
Glad their apples were round and red,
Glad of mayflowers they would bring
Out of the woods again next spring.

So Peace and Mercy and Jonathan,
And Patience (very small),
Stood up gratefully giving thanks
The first Thanksgiving of all.

--( Nancy Byrd Turner.)