Thursday, November 27: Thanksgiving Day. With family in Pittsburgh but thoughts are much with Ferguson. As family is watching the Macy Day's Parade, and I catch a glimpse of it from time to time as I try to catch up with Ferguson events, I find myself reflecting on empire building on the backs of the enslavement of African Americans and continued structures of racism and the grabbing of land and attempted genocide of Native Americans, First Citizens--some people's present wealth and privilege and other's poverty and inequity based on free labor and free land--unceasing, mindless plundering to achieve "progress." Some day, the United States needs to come to terms with this, repent, and rebuild an inclusive society with economic, political and cultural liberty and justice for ALL. At the same time I give thanks for life, for the gift of creation--for all of it This we know: life is good, we are received, the past is approved, the future is open. All is connected; and, beneath and even within and through the chaos, struggle, death and destruction, life chooses life as it moves toward individuation, diversity, and communion. With deep gratitude for all on this list serve and many others---those known and unknown--who have been and continue to be part of the Spirit Movement. Thanksgiving blessings. Ellie elliestock@aol.com