Today is Thanksgiving. A holiday to remind us that our harvest has sustained us. Analogous to the holiday of Sukot, which was closer in time to the secular Thanksgiving before the date was moved. (It IS celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada, which is mighty close to the actual date of Sukot.)
In America, we think it derives from the celebration some 400 years ago in Plymouth (1621). Of course, it had been celebrated in England before that date- so it’s not surprising that the Pilgrims (and Puritans) would continue the tradition,, when they came to North America. Of course, most of us have nothing to do with farming or harvest, but we celebrate nevertheless. So, we continue that tradition by devouring a turkey, replete with cranberry sauce. And, in many households, pigging out on TV football events. To be followed by the rush and crush to spend one’s hard earned money on Friday- Black Friday- the first official day of Christmas Excess… I am thrilled we don’t so participate. But, whatever your tradition, I wish you a grand holiday. And, hope that you do reflect on all those great things in your life for which we should be thankful… each and every day of our lives.
I recommend you read the posting in today’s NY Times by Nicholas Kristof; it’s worthy of your thoughts today as you devour your feast…
Gobble, Gobble & happy Thanksgiving! http://t.co/l5xmuIQv0H via @Adjuvancy
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving this side of the pond…but I happen to be born on Thanksgiving!
Muriel recently posted..France In London
Really? The UK used to celebrate Thanksgiving- but at a different date than those of us on this side… Yet- HAPPY birthday!
We celebrate Thanksgiving by spending the day with family that we don’t get to see as often as we’d like. It is a great excuse to make the time and to indulge in the feast, to which everyone contributes and is always greatly appreciated, plus the leftovers never go to waste.
That’s a great idea, Suerae. Especially with the fact that there are no leftovers.
Glad to hear you enjoy – and provide- your Thanksgiving.
Gobble-Gobble http://t.co/Bjej0IyhlE
..A post for Thanksgiving… http://t.co/44L3uub2BM via @Adjuvancy
Love your philosophical take on it all. The Brits celebrated in the fall the passing of a law related to Guy Fawkes. I guess it died out over there.
Carol Tomany recently posted..Caveat Emptor
That’s what I gather from one post from a Brit. And, Canada’s occurs closer in date to its true origins- as opposed to later in the year (when there is NO harvest time) here in the States.
You can never get enough #Thanksgiving
I like http://t.co/0l4mPLqnfC
Roy, it would seem that there are many different ways of giving thanks. I think more than a day set aside for it we need to ever be thankful. Thanks for the post.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Senior Care Tip (from a TV ad): You Don’t Have to Be Lonely
Some of us provide thanks each morning (and some more even every night) as part of our daily prayers… Glad you had time to say thanks- and thanks to you for reading!