In the USA, this Thursday, we celebrate thanksgiving. Beyond the feast of turkey, mashed potatoes, and pies... there is deeper meaning to the holiday, Although the story of the pilgrims and the 'indians' (native americans) probably wasn't as loving and mutually beneficial as we are taught in elementary school... the spirit of the holiday still holds value.
Thanksgiving is a time for friends and family to come together. We gather for the food, but also for the company. It reminds us to love and share with others, and a thanksgiving meal helps us practice the common courtesy of simple things like "passing the potatoes" and truly sitting and listening to each other, that unfortunately are often not so 'common' in everyday life.
During Thanksgiving we pass on traditions, and create new ones. When families have new members, through marriages or other means, It is interesting to find out how each family can have a slightly different take on the same "classics". Each tradition, no matter how obscure, carries on a comforting pattern from year to year and throughout the decades. Tradition is a valuable way of instilling a sense of belonging and heritage. It helps us find commonality when our lives drift apart.
Of course the most important part of Thanksgiving- is giving thanks. Although we should try to be thankful and recognize the gifts we are given in life every day, Thanksgiving gives us a particular moment in time when we are surrounded be people we love when we can sit and count all the wonderful gifts we each have in our lives. We can share a moment with others where we are truly grateful for their presence, and the fact that they have joined us in this life's journey. We can see the spread of rich and delicious foods that grace our table and feel grateful that we can have such a fantastic meal. We can look to the past and remember those we have lost, and be grateful for the time we got to spend with them. We can dream of the future and the endless opportunities and joy we may encounter. Most importantly we can be in the present and be grateful for having this moment in time, however perfect or imperfect it is.
As a pagan, we have several holidays in which we try to recognize and give thanks. However, this time of thanksgiving is wonderfully unique because it doesn't belong to "them" or "us", but to anyone who is thankful!
So, what is your favorite part of thanksgiving, or what are you thankful for? If you don't live in the USA, you can certainly talk about any similar holiday where you have come together to give thanks and recognize the blessings in your life.
Blessed Be and Thank You!
-Megan
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