Thursday Thoughts #5 - Tis the Season

Merry Christmas......or Hanukkah.....or whatever it is you do or don't celebrate. But before we get all caught up in that, can we take some time out for Thanksgiving? I mean, come on marketing world! Before we are even close to done with Halloween, Christmas is already in mass production. At Rockefeller Center, they already have the huge tree up & will soon be having the lighting ceremony. We get so caught up getting ready for Christmas that we see to gloss right over Thanksgiving. Which if you think about it, is one pretty awesome holiday!

Thanksgiving is not a religious holiday. This means that no one really seems to take offense that we celebrate a day devoted entirely to being thankful. Ok, now I know I just said no one, in which I mean there are people that still take offense to it, but the majority does not. I'm sure I just created an even greater error in political correctness there, but whatever, you get my point. Thanksgiving is celebrated by all. We come together with family, friends, strangers to eat food to the point of exhaustion & partake in some football or other leisurely activities. No matter what your tradition or plans might be, you expect the day to be relaxing & as relaxed as possible.

Here is some general facts pertaining to the origin & celebration of Thanksgiving:
Sept. 1620 - Pilgrims left England looking for religious & civil freedom
Nov. 1620 - Pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts
Eary spring 1621 - Pilgrims have rough time adjusting to new area (46 died during winter alone)
but an American Indian named Squanto teaches the Pilgrims new harvesting methods
Fall 1621 - after Pilgrims have very successful harvest season, they invite the local American
Indian tribes to come celebrate in a three-day thanks oriented festival
1789 - President George Washington proclaims a day for Thanksgiving to God but the first official Thanksgiving day was really thanks to:
1863 - President Lincoln declares the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day after 30 years of promotion of the idea by Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale
1941 - Congress officially passes law stating Thanksgiving Day into effect

Thanksgiving is often associated with turkey, cranberries, corn & pumpkins. The corn (maize) was what the American Indians taught the pilgrims to grow in order to survive. Cranberries were one of the things that was most likely served at the original Thanksgiving. Turkey was not likely at the first Thanksgiving, but I am sure glad it is part of the traditional fare now! Most likely, the turkey became part of the tradition due to Benjamin Franklin's love for the turkey (he wanted the turkey to be the national bird instead of the bald eagle).

People celebrate Thanksgiving in many different ways, with many different people, & in many different settings. One thing is generally found at all of these gatherings - a thankfullness for being with one another & for having the things provided to each & every one of us.

I hope that no matter who, what, where or how you celebrate Thanksgiving this year, that we all think even for just a moment about the why. Let's not gloss over such a great & meaningful holiday with no religious bearing just in order to be able to buy & receive presents. Take a moment to be thankful starting today. Celebrate Thanksgiving each & every day between now & the actual holiday.

Last but not least:
Who is never hungry at Thanksgiving?
The turkey because he's already stuffed!!!!