When I first decided to write about Thanksgiving, I thought the focus of the article would be on addressing stereotypes and myths about the first Thanksgiving on this continent. By the time I had pored over at least a couple dozen sources, I knew I would be writing something entirely different.
What I found made a couple of things clear. First of all, there is no consensus on when the first Thanksgiving occurred. Some claim the first was probably thousands of years ago, not the few hundred years claimed by others. Some cite President George Washington's one-time proclamation of a day for giving thanks in 1789; others cite President Abraham Lincoln's action in 1863 making Thanksgiving a national holiday. The date of observance was later changed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 from the last Thursday in November to the 4th Thursday. It's clear, too, that there have been extended periods of time after Europeans first came to this continent when no such day was observed at all on a wide-scale basis.
I also decided nobody really needs to be reminded that the Thanksgiving story of the Puritans in 1621 we were taught by both our educational system and Hollywood is fraught with myths and stereotypes. Surely, we all know by now that the Puritans weren't running around in funny hats and buckles. Nor were the Native Americans present that day likely decked out in full feather headgear and wearing tomahawks strapped to their sides. We can also acknowledge that, for a very long time, the Native American version of the events in 1621 was not included in our history books; the Euro-centric version was simply passed from one generation to the next. We all know that the victors get to write history.
I'm sure it's politically incorrect to say I don't care about sorting all of that out. Oh, well. What I honestly care much more about is what the day has evolved into in our modern culture. It's become a day, yes, for giving thanks. But I doubt many Americans will tomorrow consciously think about 1621 when grace is being said before the feast. I believe what most of us will be thinking about are those we love and our good fortune to gather together again. We'll probably also give at least a moment's thought to other blessings in our lives, perhaps, too, remembering there are always those less fortunate than ourselves. In my family, it's also frequently a time to include a few friends we know don't have plans for the day; we invite them because they enrich our own Thanksgiving Day by sharing it with us.
There will be no guilt over history at my family's celebration tomorrow nor will there be arguments about the particulars of earlier Thanksgivings. We'll simply share good food and good company and make new memories. What more is there, really? Well, there is football.
I wish for you all the Thanksgiving observance that's most meaningful and pleasurable to you. Any opportunity for coming together with loved ones to celebrate just being alive and together should not be missed. Tomorrow is never promised.
- Dixie
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