 |
| The man himself. He would have been an alpinist, I am sure of it! Photo from Wikipedia |
To say that we are blessed would be a serious understatement.
On October 3, 1863, President Lincoln gave his Proclamation of Thanksgiving. President Lincoln's example is very interesting to observe. Just months before, the Civil War was dragging on and the Battle of Gettysburg was fought with deaths of that specific battle totaling over 50,000.
Despite our situation, we are able to develop "an attitude of gratitude", which in my view is a main point of what he says.
The key part in what he says is as follows: "It has seemed to me fit and proper that [their blessings] should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens...to set apart and observe...a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens."
Should you be interested in reading his proclamation in its entirety, I have included it at the bottom.
The Blessings
Since this page is focused on climbing, I will list a few of those blessings that relate to climbing that are important to me, but one ought to think on the many others we possess.
-I suppose the first is simply climbing. Whatever and wherever you like to climb, most of those reading this will have a passion for climbing. This brings so much joy to my life, I can only assume it does the same for you.
 |
| Treking in on an expedition? No, Tyson simply like to bring the comforts of life to the crag. |
 |
| Despite the majority of the crag being out of the picture, I feel the message is clear. One of the best crags for winter climbing. Sun and climbing from slab to steep. |
- A part of climbing is visiting beautiful places and becoming inspired.
 |
| The always alluring Tetons. |
 |
| Big sky country? Nah, just the good old Targhee. |
-Climbing provides adventure...
 |
| On the first ascent of Bagram Sacrifice, Ophir Canyon. While it appears out of place for a picture of sport climbing to be placed under adventure, bolting new terrain in my view fits within the scope. Photo by Grace Wylie |
-...and a motivation to stay fit and have fun!
 |
| Bouldering in Little Cottonwood Canyon Photo by Grace Wylie |
-Friendship certainly can't be discounted either.
 |
| Psyched! Alex Lowe said "the mountains are life giving." |
-I love living in Wasatch. Not only is the climbing most excellent, there is access to so much close by. Despite areas such as Ibex being so close, I had never been there. It ended up being a Plan B that worked out perfectly over Thanksgiving weekend.
 |
| Every time I visit a new area I feel the need to touch everything! That includes.. Photo by Nathan Nelson |
 |
| ...attempting to boulder everything in tennis shoes. See the Nose Shadow in the background? I am excited to return! Photo by Nathan Nelson. |
 |
| Part of that friendship I was talking about. Photo by Nathan Nelson |
Now is the time to remember what you are grateful for and to say thank you!
Washington, D.C.
October 3, 1863
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
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.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, l as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.
It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one 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 purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
Abraham Lincoln
No comments:
Post a Comment