Shari Johnson, Publisher
Happy Thanksgiving Ridgeview Readers! As 2024 winds it’s way down into the Christmas Season, sandwiched in between the major holiday of “Deer Season” and Christmas is the American holiday of Thanksgiving.
Sarah Josepha Hale lobbied Congress for years to make Thanksgiving an official holiday. If it wasn’t for her determination, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be celebrated at all, and we’d have to have venison for dinner! Hale’s allegiance to Thanksgiving began in 1827 and was based in national pride; she hoped to make it a permanent holiday for the American people. But it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln finally declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Being in the era of the Civil War, Thanksgiving is considered by some to be an attempt on behalf of the president to bring some peace back to the country.
We sure could use some peace right about now couldn’t we?
I grew up with two very, very peaceful families. The Spencer’s of Braxton (my Momma’s family) and the Hardway’s on the Braxton/Calhoun County line of the Nicut Road (my Father’s family). In a somewhat Ozzie and Harriett world, I never remember words being exchanged, arguments or unkind things being said by family members. It wasn’t until adulthood that I discovered how very argumentative the world around me could be.
As we grew into young married adults, my parents didn’t want us to have to experience holiday anxiety, so Thanksgiving was turned over to the in-laws for celebration as well as Christmas Day. My mother, at the age of 88, still gives sacrificially in her own way for her family. I will not claim that I am as sacrificial as her, but my own children were given the same peace from David and I to allow them to celebrate the major Holidays with their in-laws. For us it doesn’t matter which day we celebrate, it only matters that we do.
Tomorrow I will remove a huge ham from the fridge that is ready for smoking, with all the trimmings and sides. I figured that my kids would be turkey tired. Lord willing and it turns out okay we’ll have pumpkin pie, chocolate delight and applesauce pie for dessert with ice cream. My son-in-laws will love on me the only way they know how… with every wisecrack they can make, and the grandkids will pile in our ever so small home for which I am extremely grateful for.
It reminds me of the days at my husband David’s Grandma Goldie’s , where we usually had Thanksgiving weekend in her small Jenny Lind home at Normantown, WV. It was where kids, grandkids, great grandkids and even great great grandkids sat shoulder to shoulder in the living room, kitchen and bedroom to celebrate family. No elaborate decorations, just family and woman who placed Jesus Christ central in her life and was such an example to me of what a Grandma is supposed to be. She was honest and loving.
I realize that not everyone has had the experience that I’ve had, and that peace isn’t always a part of your holiday. I’m praying for you this morning. Praying that you’ll celebrate this day with an inner peace of knowing you are loved and thought about, even if I don’t know your name. Jesus does.
I won’t tell you, as an adult, I have a peaceful holiday every year in my 44 years of marriage. This season brings stress on families, and my own was no different. When you blend two very different families together, it’s sometimes like vinegar and baking soda. Kapow! But even in the midst of turmoil you can have that inner peace. Free. Well, free to you, it came at the highest of price for our Lord. He gave His life for you.
A matter on my heart for the longest time has been the upheaval our children are growing up in. Very, very few, know the peace I experienced in childhood. My childhood wasn’t perfect! I lost my brother to a car accident when I was twelve. When I asked my Mother why she didn’t blame God for losing Richard, she told me (in her wise ways) “How can I blame the only One who will allow me to see him again.” That statement has stuck with me my entire life. Every time something goes wrong and I want to ask God, “Why did you allow that to happen?” I remember those tearful words of my Mother who found hope in the Lord Jesus Christ on the worst day of her life.
This Thanksgiving I pray your home is filled with peace and love. If it is not, I pray you find it in the Lord Jesus who has an abundant supply of peace to offer in this crazy mixed up world for which we’re raising our children and grandchildren.
God Bless you! And Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!
