One of my students, who seems to be mad at the world all the time, made a comment the other day that disturbed me: “I’m so thankful the holidays are almost here; I’m sick of school.”
Asked if that was all he was thankful for at Christmastime, he quipped defiantly, “Yep … what else should I be thankful for? And by the way, it isn’t called Christmastime; it is Winter Break.”
When I mentioned the gift all mankind should be most thankful for — Jesus Christ’s birth — not only at this time of year but all year long, he scowled Scrooge-like, as if to say, “Bah, humbug!”
As a teacher, I am dismayed that some young people not only seem to think that something really can be gotten for nothing and that the world owes them everything, but also have no reverent thoughts about historical events in which victories at the cost of many lives bequeathed to them the opportunity to speak freely, worship freely, and most importantly, to live freely, in the greatest country the world has ever known.
For instance, on this day — December 7 — seventy years ago, Japanese aircraft attacked Pearl Harbor, destroying or damaging countless warships and airplanes, and killing or wounding almost 3,700 Americans. It was, as President Roosevelt said, “...a date which will live in infamy — America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of ... Japan.... With confidence in our armed forces, with the un-bounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God!” Eventually, the triumph was gained, but not without a long fight and a huge loss of materiel and personnel.
For that, all Americans must forever be thankful. But the liberty those brave men and women fought to preserve would not have existed if, 165 years before then, on December 25, 1776, an army of 2,000 exhausted but determined, fearless men, clad in rags and some even barefoot, set out in rain, sleet and snow to make a dangerous river crossing, march about ten miles, and gain a victory at Trenton, New Jersey, thereby setting the stage for independence from Great Britain. How can we Americans not be thankful for this spectacular feat of heroism?
Thankfully, many Americans, including younger ones, know that when this great country is challenged it rises to the threat and overcomes it. They are proud of their heritage and demonstrate that pride on special days set aside to honor the men and women who have served in the cause of freedom. I was reminded of this on Veteran’s Day when I walked into a classroom and all the students stood and applauded. There was no way this old veteran could stop the tears.
As radio personality Garrison Keillor once said, “Thank You, God, for this good life and forgive us if we do not love it enough.”
In America, we have ample opportunities to earn the good life, and for that we should always preserve an attitude of thankfulness.
Jimmy Reed——
Bio and Archives
Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.
This story is a selection from Jimmy Reed’s latest book, entitled The Jaybird Tales.
Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).
