As we prepare for Thanksgiving, the day on which our nation pauses and gives thanks for that for which we are grateful, I note that the United States, a young nation relative to many other countries around the world, is one of comparatively few that formally sets aside a day to focus on gratitude.

Even more striking, this American holiday was formally instituted by President Abraham Lincoln during the tragic days of the Civil War.  If Lincoln could call on a bloodily divided Union to consider its blessings at the darkest moment in American history, surely, we should be able in 2021 to embrace the spirit of his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation as did his fellow Americans 158 years ago.

This Thanksgiving I believe we have much to be thankful for, even if we need to look a bit harder to find it.  So, I urge you to think beyond the pandemic, our polarizing politics, and divisive cultural flashpoints.  I ask you to consider the many blessings we who live in the United States enjoy.  We all have family, friends, and freedom that bless us every day.

This week I'd like each of you to take a break from the challenges and obstacles of the year.  I hope you can enjoy a time of peace, recovery, and renewal.  I hope you can be with your family and friends.  And, above all, I wish you and your family good health and prosperity.

In closing, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank you for the work you do to make Pragmatics great.  Without your commitment, creativity, and high standards, we would not be the company we are! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

And, BTW, if you want to learn more about the history of Thanksgiving, I recommend this link, https://www.lincolncottage.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Lincolns-Other-Proclamation​.pdf.

 

 

 

Michael Bowers

President

Pragmatics, Inc