Happy Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States. Thanksgiving is a largely unique American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a day to give thanks for all our blessings and to celebrate with family and friends. It is also a day where many Americans spend time helping the less fortunate, such as preparing Thanksgiving meals at homeless shelters. (Americans do this throughout the year as well, but today is a day to reflect on all that we have in this wonderful country, and we can never forget those who are less fortunate, especially in these economic times. We must also remember all the brave men and women who are serving in our military, many serving in distant and dangerous places. I do not believe war is the answer, but I firmly support our troops. God Bless you all.)
Canada celebrates a similar Thanksgiving in early October, but it is not a national holiday as it is here in the United States.
Most Americans -- thanks to the Pilgrims' PR -- believe that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated at Plymouth in 1621. Pshaw!
The first Thanksgiving was in 1619 at the Berkeley Hundred, 8000 acres on the James River, about 20 miles from Jamestown.
The 38 English settlers had a charter that their day of arrival be observed every year as a "day of Thanksgiving," to thank God for their safe arrival in the new world.
Thanksgiving is a major meal that usually includes a turkey, and all the trimmings. This is not set in stone -- I prefer a ham -- and the uniqueness of America allows us to have a Thanksgiving meal that reflects our heritage as well. Millions of Americans will sit down to meals that do not include a turkey or a pumpkin pie (fine with me -- I hate pumpkin pie) but all will give Thanks to God - whether we are Christian, Jewish or Muslim - or indeed, Hindus or Buddhists, while atheists, just might say Thank you ... without the God. That's okay, too.
Preparing the meal is a celebration too, involving everyone from the children to the men -- send them to the tv to watch football. The day starts with millions of Americans watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, sponsored by Macy's, in New York City. I love watching the Rockettes, and waiting for the Big Balloons, especially Snoopy.
I am about to go to friends for dinner, bringing a cherry pie (as I said, I hate pumpkin pie) and cranberry sauce.
Buddy, Edison, Ella and Sienna and I wish all of the American readers here, a Happy Thanksgiving ... and let's remember and help those in need, especially at this time of year.

The two Pilgrims in front with the turkey in the middle are candles, but always used as a part of my Thanksgiving display ... since the 1960s. The display also features a cat, as I am sure a cat attended the first Thanksgiving --- in Virginia.

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