On this Thanksgiving Day my own reflections turn to my ancestors. Like like each of you, I would not be where I am today if not for the faith and perseverance of my own forefathers. Their stories give me hope, their courage lends me strength across the generations. Today, I have a chance to step back from daily grind and give thought to some of their stories.
My fourth-great grandfather on my father’s side left his uncle’s farm at the age of 15, joining the crew of a whaling vessel. A few years later he was shipwrecked off the coast of Peru. He was the sole survivor, refusing to give up when others around him stopped swimming he continued. After two years in Peru he managed to find passage, returning to the States. He married, found a new faith, and migrated west. He helped establish new towns in Idaho and Arizona, and is considered one of the founding fathers what is now a major southwestern city.
Other ancestors followed those of their faith, looking for freedom from persecution. They left their comfortable homes and farms, and in some cases their families to seek a new life in the western territories. One family left England with 11 only to lose a third of the family, including the mother, to illness and hardship traveling across seas of both water and grass before reaching a new home in Utah. One great grandmother was among the few survivors of the ill fated Mormon handcart companies.
My ancestors have fought in wars and worked hard at difficult jobs just to scrape by. They have buried children, but cared for those who survived. Some have suffered poverty and others poor health. Each is my own ancestor, and each deserve my gratitude for their efforts in making the best possible life for their families.
I don’t mention any names because they are my ancestors. They are important to me but I don’t with to place them above any other. We all have ancestors who have worked diligently, seeking to preserve and make better the lives of their own children and descendents. For mine, I am grateful. On this day of Thanksgiving, I express my thanks to them and hope each of you may find comfort and gratitude in your own family’s history.