Most organized cultures have a celebration of the fall harvest. Thanksgiving was originally celebrated by early American settlers, the Pilgrims, to honor a bountiful Autumn yield. The Native Americans were not exactly guests of this banquet but rather “helpful” participants who taught the settlers how to grow essential foods to survive, not knowing their eventual demise. The irony does not escape me. I cooked my first turkey only a couple of years ago. As a “cultural” Hindu Indian American, I did not grow up feasting on large foul on this most fundamental American holiday. Instead, we took days off from school/work and ate chicken curry. In college, a friend once asked me what we did for Thanksgiving. I told her “nothing, we don’t celebrate it.” She was appalled and confused, “what do you mean? you don’t give thanks?” I felt un-American.
The American psyche needs this holiday now more than ever; especially in today’s world of high unemployment, foreclosures, and apprehension. Thanksgiving reminds us of our former greatness, abundance, and fearlessness. Interestingly one of the first buildings established by the Pilgrims was a prison. In our collective retrospective (taught in elementary school,) however, our character is not exemplified by fear; but by the Pilgrim's adventurous spirit, irregardless of the of pain and famine they experience along the way. We need to believe our future is laced with serendipity; leading to wealth, plenty, braveness, and good fortune.
Whoever hosts this event has a lot at stake for creating a tasty, bountiful, coma-inducing meal; ringing in the holiday season with fullness and well-being. With Thanksgiving now in the rear view, I can look back and say, “well done.” There was some stress and small hiccups with our heat going out and a few recipes missing, but eventually everything worked out. The meal was tasty, the company gracious, and we all had a good time. Forgive the cliche, but I sincerely give thanks for my family and friends -- their love, support, candor, and drama -- there is never a dull moment.
The American psyche needs this holiday now more than ever; especially in today’s world of high unemployment, foreclosures, and apprehension. Thanksgiving reminds us of our former greatness, abundance, and fearlessness. Interestingly one of the first buildings established by the Pilgrims was a prison. In our collective retrospective (taught in elementary school,) however, our character is not exemplified by fear; but by the Pilgrim's adventurous spirit, irregardless of the of pain and famine they experience along the way. We need to believe our future is laced with serendipity; leading to wealth, plenty, braveness, and good fortune.
Whoever hosts this event has a lot at stake for creating a tasty, bountiful, coma-inducing meal; ringing in the holiday season with fullness and well-being. With Thanksgiving now in the rear view, I can look back and say, “well done.” There was some stress and small hiccups with our heat going out and a few recipes missing, but eventually everything worked out. The meal was tasty, the company gracious, and we all had a good time. Forgive the cliche, but I sincerely give thanks for my family and friends -- their love, support, candor, and drama -- there is never a dull moment.
No comments:
Post a Comment