In the United States, Thanksgiving is a cause for pause in order to express our gratitude for the many blessings bestowed upon us as a nation. Our Pilgrim forefathers took time out to give thanks for the bountiful harvest which allowed them to survive through the long winter and offered hope for the spring that would follow that cold season.
These newcomers to this land were so grateful (and gracious) that they invited the natives to share the feast celebrating the harvest. Thus began the tradition of gathering around a table groaning with good food and good fellowship. It became an occasion for families to assemble for a meal, for conversation and finally, for football. People often travel great distances to join in the festivities.
Just as surely as the participants in the first feast did not see eye to eye on all matters, so too do family members not agree on everything. Their differences of opinion may involve minor issues such as sports teams worthy of support to more serious arguments dating back many years. But often the camaraderie outweighs the conflict, and for the day at least, congeniality triumphs. The hostess at these gatherings goes to great lengths to keep her guests well fed and happy. They in turn reciprocate by demonstrating their best manners. Everyone leaves the host house promising to get together more often, a pledge more easily made than kept.
It is good for families and friends to come together to break bread and offer thanks on the fourth Thursday of November, but one wonders about the rest of the year. Are our blessings limited to this day only? Do we not have reason to be grateful every time we sit down to a meal and satisfy our hunger and thirst? Have we become so jaded and ungrateful that we take this privilege for granted? Do we take our families for granted and ignore those we are supposed to love because we are so preoccupied with our own pursuits that they take up most of our days?
Perhaps occasionally we need to remove the capital from Thanksgiving and make the first letter a small “t.” Once we recognize that thanksgiving is an everyday activity and not one to be relegated to a lofty status of a special block on the calendar perhaps we will know the true meaning of gratitude.
Ann Dow of West Deptford is a retired college instructor.
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