Thankful
Last month I took my first "real" vacation ever; no family or friends to stay with, responsible for no one but myself (my good friend Peggy came along, and she is responsible enough for both of us, if needed!), no schedule except our travel to and from our destination, which was Plymouth, Massachusetts. The weather was perfect, the flights were uneventful, the seafood delicious and the history was fascinating.
On our way to supper the first evening we happened to walk by Plymouth Rock, which was one of the landmarks we had on our short list of "gotta see" items. As the week went on and we toured First Parish Church, the Pilgrim's Museum, the Mayflower Society Museum, Burial Hill, Plimoth Plantation, the Jenney Grist Mill and the Mayflower II, the significance and symbolism of that rock truly came to life for us. A chart showed us the families who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 were comprised of 102 people. We learned that only 51 of them lived through their first winter on American soil. And although Jamestown, Virginia was founded in 1607, when most Americans think of Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving, we think of Plymouth.
Already the townsfolk and tour guides there are talking about the 400 year anniversary of the settlement coming up seven years from now. They take pride in the rich history of the area, as they should. Several organizations take an active roll in preserving, restoring, and promoting education in regard to their many historical treasures. Reading the textbook accounts is one thing; walking the path next to the fresh water of the town brook that attracted the settlers in the first place is another. If ever you have a chance to visit Plymouth, I encourage you to do so. See the monuments. Talk to the locals (they're very friendly and helpful)! Tour everything you can. It's an important part of our history.
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. In the midst of the local and national and worldwide news of gloom and doom, let me suggest we all turn off the TVs. Set aside the newspapers and mute the radios. Dust off your attitude of gratitude. Let's look around us and find all the things--big and little--for which we can be thankful. The colors in a sunset. A warm place to live if you have one. Family, friends, loyal pets. Books to read and the ability to read them. And a wonderful country to call home.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
On our way to supper the first evening we happened to walk by Plymouth Rock, which was one of the landmarks we had on our short list of "gotta see" items. As the week went on and we toured First Parish Church, the Pilgrim's Museum, the Mayflower Society Museum, Burial Hill, Plimoth Plantation, the Jenney Grist Mill and the Mayflower II, the significance and symbolism of that rock truly came to life for us. A chart showed us the families who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 were comprised of 102 people. We learned that only 51 of them lived through their first winter on American soil. And although Jamestown, Virginia was founded in 1607, when most Americans think of Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving, we think of Plymouth.
Already the townsfolk and tour guides there are talking about the 400 year anniversary of the settlement coming up seven years from now. They take pride in the rich history of the area, as they should. Several organizations take an active roll in preserving, restoring, and promoting education in regard to their many historical treasures. Reading the textbook accounts is one thing; walking the path next to the fresh water of the town brook that attracted the settlers in the first place is another. If ever you have a chance to visit Plymouth, I encourage you to do so. See the monuments. Talk to the locals (they're very friendly and helpful)! Tour everything you can. It's an important part of our history.
This week we celebrate Thanksgiving. In the midst of the local and national and worldwide news of gloom and doom, let me suggest we all turn off the TVs. Set aside the newspapers and mute the radios. Dust off your attitude of gratitude. Let's look around us and find all the things--big and little--for which we can be thankful. The colors in a sunset. A warm place to live if you have one. Family, friends, loyal pets. Books to read and the ability to read them. And a wonderful country to call home.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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Good post, Jess! Here's an interesting comparison between Jamestown and Plymouth. Lots of parallels between the two colonies. Jamestown served as an example and inspiration to the Plymouth settlers; given that, I wonder if they had heard of the Jamestown Thanksgiving 2 years earlier, and that's why they held one? http://www.nps.gov/jame/historycultur...
( Can't wait for our next adventure!!)