Wednesday 21 November 2012

Happy Thanksgiving, America!
Abraham Lincoln's Manifesto of Gratitude


"The year
that is drawing towards its close,
has been filled with the blessings
of fruitful fields and healthful skies.
To these bounties,
which are so constantly enjoyed
that we are prone to forget
the source from which they come,
others have been added,
which are of so extraordinary a nature,


that they cannot fail
to penetrate and soften even the heart
which is habitually insensible
to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
It has seemed to me fit and proper
that they should be solemnly,
reverently and gratefully acknowledged
as with one heart and voice
by the whole American people.


I do therefore invite my fellow citizens
in every part of the United States,
and also those who are at sea
and those who are sojourning in foreign lands,
to set apart and observe
the last Thursday of November next,
as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise
to our beneficent Father
who dwelleth in the Heavens.


And I recommend to them that
while offering up the ascriptions
justly due to Him for such singular deliverances
and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence
for our national perverseness and disobedience,
commend to his tender care all those
who have become widows, orphans, mourners
or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife
in which we are unavoidably engaged,


and fervently implore
the interposition of the Almighty Hand
to heal the wounds of the nation
and to restore it as soon as may be consistent
with the Divine purpose
to the full enjoyment of peace,
harmony, tranquillity and Union."

Quoted from
"A Declaration of Thanksgiving"
Abraham Lincoln's Manifesto of Gratitude
October 3, 1863


Photographed in 2009
in the fields and meadows of
Lake Neusiedl-Seewinkel
National Park

© by Merisi

Lake Neusiedl is located
less than an hour's drive
south of Vienna

17 comments:

  1. Such beautiful pictures!

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  2. Spectacular images, and thank you for writing this beautiful and poignant Quote of Thanksgiving.
    Hope yours is a wonderful one !
    ~Jo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you,
      a wonderful Thanksgiving to you,
      Merisi

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  3. Merisi, it's grand to again be able to visit your beautiful sights and words.

    I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving! This year's NYC version should be mild in weather...very welcome after Sandy's power.

    xo

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Frances,
      may your Thanksgiving day be a relaxing and beautiful,
      Merisi

      Delete
  4. Thank you, Merisi, for such a beautiful post/photos to celebrate Thanksgiving! Lincoln's words are wonderful and inspiring!! Hope you have a lovely weekend!!

    Sylvia

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    Replies
    1. Thank you,
      Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you, too,
      Merisi

      Delete
  5. Thanks you, Merisi, for reminding us. Happy Thanksgiving.

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    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Simona!
      May your Thanksgiving be filled with all you wish for,
      Merisi

      Delete
  6. Replies
    1. You are welcome,
      happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
      Merisi

      Delete
  7. So beautiful, so much to be thankful for.
    I didn't know that the American Thanksgiving was formally proclaimed by A. Lincoln. I always heard of the Pilgrims getting together with the Native Americans and thought that it was a holiday sanctioned by tradition.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. Been a rough year here, but with joy toward the end.

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  9. SO glad you posted this Merisi. It is hard to add or take away from Lincoln's words.
    Beautiful!! The first and third images are like watercolours, just spectacular.
    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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  10. Wow...just perfect Merisi, for Thanksgiving Day, or any day...beautifully placed together with gorgeous scenes. Hugs~ for a beautiful weekend~

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  11. I know this is late but I had to comment on the beauty of this post. Thank you.

    And Thank you every day for sharing the beauty in the everyday world....whether it is Vienna or Racine Wisconsin, there really is beauty surrounding us. Thank you for reminding us to look.

    Ruth

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