The Generous People

Let me tell you a story of the most generous and compassionate people ! This is a story spanning across two centuries and will include an extended family with such diversity in their bloodline that you just can’t help but understand why they are such a dysfunctional bunch ! Their lineage can be traced all the way back as far as history has been recorded and they have both royalty and peasantry, masters and slaves in their bloodline. They have been known to be worshippers of all sorts of deity’s and absolute non believers as well! They claim origins from every corner of the globe! These people are the epitome of “a bastard family” ! But, oh boy, are they generous and, my goodness, do they give !

This family wasn’t always as fortunate and they have not always been able to give, and in some instances were a belligerent bunch, acting in malicious and terrible ways toward others ! But once they rose to such an esteemed position , not only did they start giving, they gave to the world, indeed, they gave to humanity itself ! Their giving came in many ways as well. They gave their sons and daughters , they gave their blood , sweat , tears , their natural resources, etc.! The intangible gifts that came from these people are, by no means, any small measure of a contribution to the lives and well being of others and, in fact, should be counted, independent of their continued and enormous material gifts to people around the world , as one of their greatest gifts to humanity ! The gift I speak of is the gift of hope! Hope for safety, security, prosperity, and the opportunity to achieve these dreams with equal standing among their family, regardless of who they are or how they came to be a part of “the family”. Millions of people, past and present, were given hope by this family and their principles . They still offer millions a reason for hope to this day, despite those who constantly deride them and speak of the evils that , on occasions , have been committed under their family crest ! This family had some moments of doubt and they weren’t always the best at delivering the promise of their gift to every member of the family, the best and most equal opportunity to some of their “adopted” siblings , but they do understand and regret their behavior ! And they continue to move forward to right their wrongs to one another, more so than any other “family” in the world !

Make no mistake, this family has had its troubles! As most families do . But I cannot recall no others who fought so hard, endeavored with more resolute determination, and progressed to those ends of righting what they have done wrong and came so far, in such little time, as the family I speak of ! No other family has ever gave such an effort to atone for the offenses committed against others with such tremendous efforts! Period! History will judge them fair for their compassion and generousity , and will look upon their legacy with great reverence and admiration one day ! For they truly are “the Generous People”!

I dare say that there are no others that have fed more hungry or desperate people, than the people of this family ! Anytime the need is great , no matter how far away that need nor how great the suffering , these people were usually the first to offer aid and the last to leave those in need ! In one way or another, each of us have been a recipient of the gifts that have been offered by this “family” ! And , without doubt, a tremendous and terrible price was paid by the “family” so that you could receive their most expensive gift. Yet they offered their sons and daughters for you to enjoy it ! They rose up against their own brethren some 250 yrs ago to separate themselves from an age old affront to the individual and to entire societies and offered up the most unique and natural answer to the practice of rule by force and oppressive governance by simple noble birthright ! And in doing so they gave their people a most valuable and precious thing. And it has proven to be a gift that keeps on giving today. This gift was denied to some, early on in this family’s history, but the patriarchs saw that their gift was far from perfect ! So , they rose up once again, against their own, with the understanding that , in order to preach their principles, they had to offer and apply those principles to everyone in the family. This fight they engaged in to provide this gift to everyone was indeed a bloody one , and in some respects the fight is still being fought to give the promise to each member of the most generous family ! And the greatest, most wonderful part of the genoerousity that comes from them is that each time their gift finds someone, or even thousands of “someone’s” s, another generous heart finds itself free , and freedom is a gift that is self- sustaining, and eventually gains enough momentum to perpetuate itself and becomes a most empowering and useful gift!

Although imperfect, with much improvement to be made amongst themselves, these people have given the world and those upon it , some measure of hope , and from where I sit, I see that our family is a good and overall compassionate family of nothing BUT givers ! And we will meet the future accused of the same ! I believe that this family has been , currently are, and will continue forward as the most compassionate and generous people on this planet ! Yes, we disagree , we have different ideas , we each have our own visions about what our family stands for , but we remain together and the world is a better place because of our family and we will keep on giving to this world all that we can ! Thank you .

The American Family