What I love about Thanksgiving is that it’s purely about getting together with friends or family and enjoying food. It’s really for everybody, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from.” (Chef Daniel Humm)
Thanksgiving is on Thursday. Thanksgiving is the only holiday that celebrates gratitude. No patriotism, memorials, or presidents’ birthdays, or gifts. The day is to celebrate gratitude.
Humans have celebrated a “holiday” related to gratitude since ancient times. After the harvest, people celebrated the bounty in various ways. That whole garbage about the Pilgrims and Native Americans being the first Thanksgiving in America is pure horse droppings. Native Americans had been celebrating a harvest festival for ages. They just celebrated that one with their new neighbors. The feast was wild game, fish, and whatever the Pilgrims and Native Americans cultivated.
“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about?” — Nora Ephron.
We also dedicate the day to the feast. It does not matter what you prepare for the feast, no matter how lavish or meager. You are sharing the love. There is no rule that turkey must be on the menu. Make whatever you want. It is your choice how you celebrate. Just do not forget why we celebrate. To thank God, some other deity, the Great Comedian, or your friends and family for whatever you are grateful for.
By the way, it is said that Ben Franklin wanted to have the turkey be the national bird. Fortunately, the Bald Eagle won out.
I get nostalgic this time of year. I remember the great feasts my family put on for Thanksgiving. Aside from the turkey, there was ham, pans of dressing, yams, lasagna, salad, fruits and nuts and dessert. My parents and aunts would spend the whole day cooking to feed us. They had a look of joy on their faces while doing all that work. I miss my family, parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are gone or moved throughout the country.
I remember other Thanksgivings at friends’ homes. I am grateful for the Thanksgivings I had while working the holiday. A local restaurant would send a whole turkey and ham with dressing and all the other trimmings to the police station. We would come in and feast. We got to celebrate with each other, at least for a short half hour before we hit the street again. To this day, I am still grateful to that restaurant owner.
We live in troubled times with real or contrived issues swirling around us. Sometimes it appears there is more anger and angst than joy in our lives. We forget all we must be grateful for. Setting aside one day to celebrate gratitude. Is a quaint but necessary concept.
Maybe Thursday when we gather, we can leave the tumult outside, not allowing the outside world into our homes. Gather with your family and friends, enjoy the feast, share the love, and be grateful for all you have, especially the people sitting at your table.
Happy Thanksgiving.