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THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Wednesday, November 27, 2024 ~ OP-Ed ~ Page 11 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving A bout four centuries ago, the infant Plimouth Colony was hanging on to existence by its fi ngernails. A long period of drought endangered its crops.Without rain, the settlers would die. So, Governor Bradford ordered a day of prayer, asking God for rain. Bradford’s journal said that the rains came, promptly and heavily, “so that the earth was thoroughly wet and soaked with all.” When the revived harvest was brought in, Bradford ordered another day of thanksgiving to the God who brought the rain. We don’t pray for rain much anymore, although a few churches in the corn belt do.We think of it as a little superstitious. For the same reason, we don’t thank God very much anymore. We are the losers thereby. No matter what our religious belief or lack of belief, we know in our hearts that we are not MASTERS of the UNIVERSE, that something outside of us and bigger than us brings the rain and the harvest, and all the miracles of life. We know, in our hearts, that we should thank somebody or something for these gifts. But we have nothing to be thankful for. Thanks for the gift of living, healthy children. Thanks for a strong community. Thanks for the determined and peaceful people of Malden. ~ Letter to the Editor ~ Accessibility at Malden City Hall I t’s been a little over a year since I last wrote to you, discussing July as Disability Pride Month and urging us all to be proud of our diverse abilities. Yet here we are again and I fi nd myself addressing the same issue: accessibility or rather, the lack thereof – in our city. I see the Mayor is seeking a new member for Malden’s Disability Commission, which is certainly commendable. But the reality: Malden City Hall, the very place where this commission will gather, remains inaccessible to many residents. Just try to get in using a wheelchair, walker or managing any mobility-related disability. It’s virtually impossible! How can we call for representation an advocate for change when the doors to our own City Hall remain closed to some of our community members? Malden deserves better, and we deserve a City Hall that’s open and accessible to everyone. This is more than an oversight – it’s a barrier to inclusion, plain and simple. I urge our city leaders to address this problem now, not tomorrow, or in a future budget. Making City Hall accessible total should be a priority. Sincerely, Harold Litchfi eld Malden Resident Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/ Advocate.news.ma Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available Yes, we have plenty to be thankful for but don’t we still have things to fear? YES. War and terrorism, age and mortality. The pilgrims didn’t give thanks because they had been delivered eternally from worry, fear and pain. They knew that their community was still in danger, as ours is. They knew a hard winter was ahead, and many hard years after it, as they may be for us. They gave thanks for what they have received already. Thank, because the act of thanking is an act of perception and recognition. When we recognize our blessings, even if only once a year, we renew our determination to retain those blessings. Finally, while you’re at it, thank the family cook for the turkey! Have a thankful Thanksgiving! If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST!

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