You will be reading this after Thanksgiving, the favorite holiday of the year for many, as it lacks the pressure and hectic nature of others, like Christmas, and allows focus on family. In 2024, after all the noise of elections, dismay at the results for some and jubilation by others, it may seem hard to think about giving thanks, or why.
Thanksgiving is designed for giving thanks to the Almighty for our blessings. It was instituted by the Pilgrims to give thanks for survival in a foreign and hostile land. Comparing all of our situations in the U.S. today to the original circumstances should give us pause.
A number of recent events make me thankful, and remind me to thank God once in a while for these gifts.
First, whether we like the election results or not, the country and states accepted the results. There was no rioting in the streets, and no refusal to accept the results, even when the party in power was defeated.
Compare that to the results in, say, Venezuela, recently, when the apparent victor was forced to flee the country when the defeated dictator refused to accept the clear results, and held onto power, effectively throwing out any pretense of democracy. One can only hope that, had the U.S. results been the opposite, the same peaceful acceptance of the results would have occurred.
Second, here in New Hampshire, our elections were competently handled, results were reported the same day, and there was no evidence of irregularities. From the hundreds of contests, 10 recounts were requested, seven actually held (the rest were dropped), and no results changed. In some places like California, vote counting continues as this column is being written, and the results of several congressional races are not yet decided. Maybe those jurisdictions should learn something from the New Hampshire way of doing elections.
Third, retiring politicians have joined together to salute our system — probably the best example of that being interviews with outgoing NH Senate members Jeb Bradley (R), and Lou D’Allessandro (D). Appearing together in interviews, they each saluted the other, said how cooperation and bipartisan approaches get results, and commented knowingly on the value of incremental change. Bradley repeated the advice of “not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good” in enacting legislation. He cited the long process of implementing Medicaid expansion in the Granite State as a prime example of this.
Fourth, the identity of the next generation of leaders has become clear, with the election of Congresswoman Goodlander from the Second District, Gov. Ayotte, the nomination of new Senate President Carson and the identification of new legislative leaders, executive councilors and other officials. Those who have observed the process for a long time know how fleeting glory is for those in office, and a new round of apparently competent leaders is ratification of the strength and vitality of the process. They all will face tough issues, and experienced hands will note that there are no new issues in the world, only the same issues in new times and contexts.
I hope each of us has taken time in this season to say thanks for our personal situations.
For some, celebrating the birth or birthdays of young children or grandchildren (in my case a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old’s birthdays right around Thanksgiving) gives hope that the future has arrived, in a tangible sense.
For others, losing loved ones is both painful and a time to think back and be thankful for their presence and contributions to the world and those around them, no matter how long they were here. A recent memorial service for Edward Higgins Berke, son of Bruce and Nancy Berke of Bow, was one such occasion. Eddie Berke was an enthusiastic, athletic extrovert whose life was cut way too short in a boating accident July 4, and his service attended by hundreds was a celebration of the life of this fine young man. Love shone through the tears and laughter at the stories lessened the heartache obviously felt by family and friends. However, the lasting message was how one person, no matter how long he lived, had enriched and brightened the lives of others, and how much this young man was loved. Those leaving the ceremony could not help but be thankful for Eddie Berke being here, and what a fine family he represented.
I am more than thankful, as my wife and I celebrated our 50th anniversary in late October. In Manchester, it was great as the community celebrated the rededication of the 1000 Elm Street complex now known as Brady-Sullivan Plaza and the 50th anniversary of the original dedication of the Hampshire Plaza, now significantly renovated.
As we look forward to the Christmas and holiday season, it’s important to remember: when saying the blessing before dinner, not only what did I ask the Lord to do, but what did I thank him for? Good question for all of us, especially around Thanksgiving.
Brad Cook is a Manchester attorney. The views expressed in this column are his own. He can be reached at bradfordcook01@gmail.com.
