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11/25/2009 Thanksgiving is even more important during tough times By Scott Walker The column below reflects the views of the author, and these opinions are neither endorsed nor supported by WisOpinion.com. This year, as we are faced with difficult challenges, Thanksgiving is something we can all look forward to. With so much uncertainty today, we take time to give thanks and remind ourselves of our many blessings, and more importantly, all that we can achieve with them. On Thanksgiving, we take a moment to enjoy whatever abundance we have, even if – like the Pilgrims – we still have a long winter ahead. When times are leaner, we remember the things in our lives that truly matter. For this reason, Thanksgiving is even more important in hard times than in easy ones. Abraham Lincoln certainly recognized this when in the midst of the horrors of the Civil War he proclaimed an annual, national holiday in November to give thanks. This year, I am thankful to live in a state with so much character and so many outstanding communities filled with hard working people, decent employers, and an abundance of natural resources. I am thankful for the ability of these people to overcome the hard times to remake our state better than it ever has been before. I am thankful too that we live in a country of freedoms - where we are free to speak, to worship and to live as we see fit. And I am thankful for the men and women who fought and who fight today to protect those freedoms. Finally, I am thankful for the most important things in my life now and throughout the year: my wonderful family, outstanding co-workers, excellent friends, and my faith in God. I am especially thankful though for my wife Tonette and my sons Matt and Alex whose understanding and support makes even the hard times worthwhile. Happy Thanksgiving. -- Walker, a Republican, is the Milwaukee County executive and a candidate for governor. |
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