Gratitude

Before Halloween is but a blip on the radar, here and gone before we know it, November shows up with a mere flip of calendar pages full of photos containing colorful tree scenes, sunrises and sunsets, cornucopias, images of tables laden with luscious looking foods, all that is familiar to families in America signifying that Thanksgiving will soon be upon us. Ads on television and radio show us happy families traveling miles by car or air to be with loved ones on this hallowed Thursday. Stores entice us with sale notices for the foods we all enjoy, the turkey, cranberries (maybe?), stuffing, pumpkin pie…green bean casserole according to our son….and then there’s the football games, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. All this, and more, are what has evolved into carving (no pun intended) out memories centered on a big bird in the middle of the table, or chicken, or ham…whatever is your choice meat. (Two years ago we enjoyed homemade reuben sandwiches on Thanksgiving!)

As I think about and reflect about Thanksgiving, I decided to do a brief search as to its origin. Below is one link that has a lengthy article well worth reading. Be prepared to undo many of your preconceived notions about this wonderful holiday as well as recall what you were taught in grade school. 

https://www.congregationsofgod.org/thanksgiving?article_id=1_the_origins_of_thanksgiving

What do you remember being taught in your elementary school days? For me, even at age 68 now, I can vividly remember hearing stories about the Pilgrims who arrived on our eastern shore, their struggles through a harsh winter, preparing a feast of turkey, corn, squash, pies, etc. and inviting local Indians (yes, that’s what we called this people group back in the 50s and 60s with no one telling us to “wake up”! They’re Native Americans!) I can still see school age me cutting out pilgrim hats, turkeys, pumpkins from a variety of construction paper colors that became wall art in our classroom. Listening to the stories, making things to illustrate the Thanksgiving story were all a part of the third week in November year after year. Foremost in the lessons being taught, was the main message of “gratitude”. I was taught that the Pilgrims were “thankful” for surviving hardship and how God had provided for them. 

I don’t remember anyone in my community being upset that we called the Indians, Indians. No one got angry that birds were being raised and processed to be on thousands, if not millions, of tables. No one in my circle of family and friends got upset that “God” was part of the story in my neighborhood elementary school lesson plans….Black Friday sales were non-existent and I don’t ever recall my family flipping on the TV to watch anything….trappings of today’s current culture were not present in our home….for that I am grateful. My being grateful then, as a small little girl, hasn’t ended. Trying to bombard my fond memories, though, is a society and culture–a segment of us–who want me to refer to Indians as Native Americans or Indiginous Peoples or First Nation.  I’ve said to myself “Ok”, the label doesn’t change the fact these are God’s people, too. My elementary school teachers meant no harm or disrespect by referring to these beautiful people as “Indians”. Truth be told, if I had to choose any description, I like “First Nation”. It has a certain sound and depth to it. Second truth be told, I’d have to study history to see if I can find what group of people are considered as being “first” to settle on our vast country land. 

Folks who are against animal cruelty don’t want us meat eaters to enjoy our turkey or ANY meat from an animal. I’m okay if you want to be a vegetarian, all I ask is you allow me to enjoy beef or poultry. Atheists and agnostics don’t want God to be part of anything involving government, schools, universities, holidays!–you name a place where integrity, honesty, and genuine concern for every human being belongs–you’ll find someone who opposes what is holy and right. 

So, how does gratitude fit in with my writing today? I’m grateful for my education, for growing up in a family and neighborhood filled with like minded adults doing their best to raise good kids. I’m grateful I was taught to love every person without labeling them. I’m grateful I’ve never gone without shelter or a meal. I’m grateful that in almost two years being surrounded by a new virus, I have remained healthy. I’m grateful that my life ambitions don’t include adding more “stuff”, things that rot, decay, or break or need dusting! I’m grateful–above all–that God remains my true source of hope, love, encouragement, and guidance for everyday life–even though He is not welcome or loved in return by many in my own extended family or community. I’m grateful that I allow God to shape my thoughts, my actions, my opinions and not someone trying to “wake” me up or “spin me” or “rewrite” some components of history in order to make ME feel bad. 

Yes, I. Am. Grateful. 

We will make the drive to one of our nephew’s homes to celebrate Thanksgiving Day 2021 with family. There will be turkey, potatoes, stuffing, pies….maybe a football game on their big screen…I’ll look to see if our great nephews made any art projects that may be hanging in the kitchen. And I’ll ask them, “So, what do you know about Thanksgiving? More importantly my next question will be “what are you thankful for?”….