It's a shame but most people today don't know very much of our nation's history. At least, they don't know it accurately. These people that we commonly refer to as "Pilgrims" endured harships that we can't even imagine. Not only did they come for religious freedom, they came as missionaries to a new world.
I toured the replica of the Mayflower one of the times I was in Plymouth vacationing with friends and let me tell you; it was no luxury cruise ship! 102 passengers plus crew all packed onto one tiny ship for a two month voyage across the sea. It is so small and cramped it's a wonder that any of them made it over here alive. When we walked off of the boat I looked at the girls and said, "The Pilgrims are my new heroes!" To endure such hardships they must have had very strong convictions in their reasons for coming here.
Gov. William Bradford (who's grave I have seen), wrote in his book, Of Plymouth Plantation, that despite many setbacks they, "committed themselves to the will of God and resolved to proceed." Because of their "resolve" to carry on, you and I are enjoying a life in this "new world" as they termed it, benefiting from their sacrifies. Just because they survived the two month journey (which not everyone did) didn't mean that they had it easy from then on. They went on to face many more obstacles the likes of which we will probably never have to see.
So as Christmas approaches this week let's be thankful that there were those who came before us and thought of posterity more than their own comforts. Let's also think ahead to what will be said of us... 390 years from today!
Very interesting post! You failed to mention that our ancestors began arriving in New England only 15 years after the arrival of the Mayflower! Maybe they faced the same horrible conditions. Loved what you had to say!
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