Thanksgiving was my late mother’s favorite holiday. No matter how scattered across the United States my siblings and I may have been, we were expected to be home to celebrate the day with her and my father. That may sound selfish on mother’s part, because, as children do, we all married and had families of our own. Mother felt she had much to be thankful for. And because she considered us her greatest blessings, she wanted us to be there to share this special day. So, in remembrance of my mother- and as a way to wish you warm holiday greetings- I give you my top ten famous quotes about Thanksgiving!
(in no particular order)
Quote #1
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882)
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- Emerson helps us to remember the simple blessings we experience each day, and not take these for granted. In a world as complex and hectic as ours, that’s often hard to remember.
Quote #2
“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.” —Irv Kupcinet (1912 – 2003)
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- Kupcinet was a gossip columnist for The Chicago Sun-Times for 60 years. He was a revered columnist who never considered himself to be a humorist. Whether Kupcinet was kidding or not, I’ve never seen a better definition for “optimist.”
Quote #3
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”
—Epictetus
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- It’s amazing this Greek philosopher was able to be thankful for anything. It’s believed that Epictetus was born into slavery. As a child, his leg became crippled. As an adult, he studied and taught Stoicism. He was banished from Rome because of his beliefs, and ended up in Greece. Epictetus lived a parsimonious life in poor health. Yet, the man was thankful…
Quote #4
I love Thanksgiving turkey…it’s the only time in Los Angeles that you see natural breasts.
—Arnold Schwarzenegger
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- For a little holiday humor.
Quote #5
Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day.
—Robert Caspar Lintner
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving-
Lintner reminds us in one short sentence that we should be thankful 365
days of the year, not just one.
Quote #6
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good…”
Psalm 100:4, The Holy Bible
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- All I can say is, Amen!
Quote #7
May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
—Unknown
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- Whoever penned this ditty sure had the right idea!
Quote #8
“Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”
—E.P. Powell
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- This holiday has become so well known for the Macy’s Parade, football and overeating, that it’s easy to forget the true meaning – to be thankful.
Quote #9
Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.
—Oprah Winfrey
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- Inspirational words to live by from the African-American billionaire.
Quote #10
“Praise God even when you don’t understand what He is doing.”
—Henry Jacobsen
Why I Chose This Quote About Thanksgiving- It’s easy to thank God for our many blessings including food, shelter, family and friends. Jacobsen
reminds us that we need to thank Him no matter what. Whether we think He’s sending us blessings or not, we need to praise God.
Resources
www.thanksgiving-day.org/thanksgiving-day-quotes.html
www.quoteworld.org/categories/thanksgiving/
