Over the years several friends of mine who are first generation – sometimes second generation – immigrant Americans have come up to me and said, “You know Patricia, Thanksgiving is our favorite Holiday.”
I’ve wondered about that for some time now.
I guess it’s because the other Holidays such as Christmas and New Years are also celebrated in their countries of origin – Christmas obviously in predominantly Christian countries – and the New Year I believe is celebrated universally. Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah, Easter & Ramadan are all religious holidays celebrated by those who practice either Judaism, Christianity, or the Muslim faith.
Thanksgiving is different; however, it is a uniquely American holiday.
At this time of year every year, we as Americans come together to give thanks for the rich bounty we have inherited from this rich land. It is a time for sharing home cooked meals with friends and family and with perfect strangers too. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all that we have been blessed with and to break bread with loved ones.
In short, it is a time to have a grateful heart.
My granddaughter Violet came up to me years back and said “Gramma, are you going to cook a turkey this year with real mashed potatoes and asparagus and hot biscuits? My heart melted because I saw her eyes all glazed with happiness and anticipation. I told her that’s exactly what we would do… and we did just that. Forever Memories.
I want to wish you and yours a very special and wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Let us take time to reflect on those things that truly count in our lives and to be grateful for all of them. Have a tender heart for those less fortunate than you – that could be you next time. Spend quality time with those close to you, our busy careers can wait … we can get too self-absorbed into our work – heck, I’m guilty of that 75% of the time. It takes a child’s innocent question to wake us up ….
Have a Happy Thanksgiving … and remember: Gratitude is the best attitude.
PW