Here at Mr. Jefferson's University people often talk about the man as if he could be seen walking (or streaking) the Lawn to this day. I always wanted to attend and/or work at an institution steeped in history and tradition. Apparently I chose wisely. Now that it is November I think of Mr. Jefferson more often because he plays a major role in our Thanksgiving tradition, and of course I am already thinking ahead to my favorite holiday.
We will celebrate our fourth Thanksgiving in Virginia this year. The first year we were thinking about how to celebrate and decided that a visit to Monticello would be appropriate. The tradition took hold and it is one of things I most look forward to each year. We walk up the hill to the house, taking in the view, the garden plots, and the fall air. It has always been on the chilly side, but the walk warms us. We talk, laugh, hold hands, run, enjoy our time as a family.
I don't know exactly what it is about Thomas Jefferson that intrigues me, perhaps it was his passion and how he lived that passion daily, perhaps it was his "renaissance" quality of dabbling in a bit of everything that interested him, perhaps because he was a man of contradictions that managed to be true to himself.
I often wonder what Mr. Jefferson would think of the country today. I am certain he would be appalled at the way religion has crept into political life. While he strongly believed in freedom of religion he was scrupulously aware of the dangers of bringing personal religious beliefs into governance. But I believe he would be proud of those who stand firm in their beliefs, who fight for equality, for freedoms and civil liberties of those who cannot fight for themselves.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
WWTJD
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