Pilgrims

We all know the “feel good”” side of Thanksgiving – turkey, yams, pumpkin pie, football, turkey again, one of the Uncles with a Pilgrim hat on.  We hear about Squanto and how he educated the Pilgrims on planting properly.  We hear about the “Big Kumbaya” when the Indians and Pilgrims sat down and ate turkey from Strack’s while watching the Lions battle the Cowboys on CBS sports…  Here’s something that perhaps you did not know:  The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts. They came here sick and hungry after sailing form 66 days on a ship nothing like Carnival Cruise Lines. The Mayflower carried 102 pilgrims to the New World in search of freedom over chiily waters searching for a land that would provide them with food and a government that would ensure their freedoms.  They reached our shores on November 11, 1620.  47% of them died before Christmas Day.  The harsh conditions of the 66 day journey took its toll on their bodies.  Lack of adequate drinking water, lack of sanitation, spoiled food supplies, and different types of disease lead to death for almost half of the travelers within the first few weeks of arrival.  They had no crops to harvest and had little skill in the wild.  An argument could be made that they were the most impoverished Americans in history, yet they set aside a day of thanksgiving.  That is the real meaning of the holiday.  It took an act of congress and President Lincoln making a proclamation in 1863 that the last Thursday in November would be a national day of thanksgiving on an annual basis. 

We get to teach.  We get to be a Principal.  We get to work with kids.  We get to do those things; we don’t ”have to” do those things.  Sometimes those 900+ kids can get under your skin.  Give thanks.  Sometimes they try your patience.  Give thanks.  Sometimes you may wonder of you are ever going to get through.  Give thanks.  Sometimes they may just frustrate you.  Give thanks.  The reason we get to do (not have to do) what we do is because of the kids.  Take them out of the equation and we are all in another line of work.  We get the privilege of the chance to make a difference in the lives of kids at least 180 days per year.  Privilege?  Yep, that’s what I wrote.  There are thousands of others who are waiting their chance to get to do what we do.  Don’t take it lightly.  Give thanks for the opportunities before you.