Thanksgiving 2013
I want to wish those who have families to celebrate our National Holiday with love and peace in their hearts. Invite those who have lost loved ones and may not have a place to go to enjoy the company of so many others. Thanksgiving has so much to offer the next generations to come from the earliest meal in our history as the story of the First Thanksgiving came about to your own first Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving was founded as a religious observance for all the members of the community to give thanks to God for a common purpose. Historic reasons for community thanksgivings are: the 1541 thanksgiving mass after the expedition of Francisco Vásquez de Coronado safely crossing the high plains of Texas and finding game, and the 1777 thanksgiving after the victory in the Revolutionary War Battle of Saratoga. In his 1789 Proclamation, President Washington gave many noble reasons for a national Thanksgiving, including “for the civil and religious liberty”, for “useful knowledge”, and for God’s “kind care” and “His Providence”. The only presidents to express a specifically Christian perspective in their proclamation have been Grover Cleveland in 1896, and William McKinley in 1900. Several other presidents have cited the Judeo-Christian tradition. At home, it is a holiday tradition in many families to begin the Thanksgiving dinner by saying grace (a prayer before or after a meal).
Each household would have their own traditions of how to celebrate this wonderful holiday. Of course other countries have their own versions of Thanksgiving. I’m looking at the American Thanksgiving holiday traditions. The “norm” of this holiday is Turkey, pies, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberries. Followed by football and sleeping after such a huge meal.
No matter the tradition you have with your family and friends, I hope you all remember those before you and give deep thanks for their contribution to your life. I am Blessed that my family that is no longer with me for their memories and what they have instilled with me I am always thankful for their ways to show me a path of giving back to others.
I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving 2013!!