An American Thanksgiving

Ellen and Roy celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary in SE Asia

As many of you know by now Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays as well as times of the year. This year, as I collect my thoughts for Thanksgiving which is about a week away, I do so as I celebrate my 30th anniversary with my partner and wife Ellen from halfway around the world!  By the time you read this message I will, of course, be back with my family celebrating Thanksgiving like all of you.  

I have witnessed many elections, but unlike any other election for which I have been alive, I am observing the outcome of our last presidential election through the lens of the rest of the world. For this reason, on this Thanksgiving, I would like to share with you what others see about our great Nation and why there is so much to be thankful for.  

Yes, I know that unlike any other election many people are upset over the outcome.  I am of course certain that had the outcome been different those who lost would also be extremely upset, and it is that very essence that people find so wonderful when they look at America from the outside. They see a government that is tolerant of the demonstrations by people discontent with the outcome of the election and their passion for the policies that are most important to them.

I see from afar how the rest of the world still looks up to America as a beacon of hope and as a place where one can go to pursue their dream: whether it’s the American dream or any other dream.  America is a Nation that continues to lead by example and by helping set cultural, social, and economic norms for the rest of the world. I see a Nation where, for the most part, people will accept the results of this election for good or bad, for better or worse, and will agree to fight another day for the principles they value in the next election. I see other countries that marvel at how our transition of power will work especially when it goes from one party to another and from a sitting president to a soon-to-be sitting president.  

So most importantly this Thanksgiving, besides giving thanks to your family and friends, give thanks for what you have, give thanks for the freedoms that you cherish (and may at times take for granted) and finally, be thankful that yes, you are an American, and never take that for granted— for probably ninety-five percent of the world would like to say that they too are Americans.  

May God bless you, your family and the United States of America this Thanksgiving.

From our family to yours,

Roy Oppenheim 

From the Trenches