On this day of Thanksgiving…
November 24, 2005
I think perhaps Thanksgiving becomes more and more difficult the more one is exposed to the world. Anyone else think that may be true? I remember sitting around the table at home and we had to go around and share things we were thankful for: good food, family, health, a nice home - you know, the basics.
But then we travel the world. I go to Mexico and see homeless people. I go to Honduras and see extreme amounts of poverty. I go to Palestine and see people who are oppressed, who have family members and friends who have been killed and whose homes have been destroyed….where have you traveled and what have you seen?
And so today is Thanksgiving. I’m in Rochester, NY with my fiancee Sarah and her family, eating extremely well and loving the two famous lemon meringue pies that the Cleaveland family is famous for (if you need proof, click here). And the one thing that comes to mind as I am preparing to think about what I’m thankful for is the Palestinians whose homes were bulldozed the day that I left Bethlehem. I left the West Bank to begin the journey back to my home…and theirs were destroyed.
I urge you today, as you are thankful for so many of the blessings that you have, think about giving out of what you have been blessed with.
Tags: Demolitions, House Demolition, Israel, Middle East, Palestine
Posted in Politics
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
November 25th, 2005 at 10:39 am
It does not make it harder for me to be thankful. If anything it makes the desire even greater to be greatful for what I have and to share the blessings that God. I am greatful for what God has given me and will not feel guilty for those blessings. That being said I will not be a miser with the blessings God has given me either.
November 25th, 2005 at 8:02 pm
Have you read Light Force by brother Andrew? He has a passion as you do for the Palestinian people. I understand your love toward them. I have a Muslim friend from Egypt and she shares a side I would never have considered. One thing for sure, she is more grateful for the abundance in this nation than I am. After living in the USA half her life– twenty years, she is still in awe.