Remember Thanksgiving…Be Thankful and Pay it Forward

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Once again, it is the time of year when we look back on all we have and give thanks.  The story of the original Thanksgiving back in 1621 serves as an example for sharing what we have not only with family and friends, but with those less fortunate than ourselves.

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Contrary to the pictures and stories we all heard growing up; Thanksgiving was not a one day event.  The first Thanksgiving lasted for three whole days.  It was not considered a holiday, but a gathering to not only give thanks for the bountiful harvest, but to thank the Wampanoag tribe of native Americans for the help they gave the pilgrims during that first devastating winter. 

That first feast was not considered the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday we now celebrate.  In fact, it was not even celebrated the next year.  It wasn’t until a few years later when it had finally rained after a severe drought, that Governor William Bradford declared another day of Thanksgiving.  The holiday wasn’t celebrated again for many decades!

In 1789, President George Washington declared a National Day of Thanksgiving.  However, at that time, the day was not met with overwhelming approval.

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Finally, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a day of Thanksgiving.  The date was not made final until 1941 when President Franklin Roosevelt officially made it the fourth Thursday in November.  However, at one point, Roosevelt moved the date to the second- to- last Thursday in November to lengthen the Christmas shopping season.  Confusing?  Yes. Check out the scene in that holiday favorite, Holiday Inn when it comes to Thanksgiving.  The turkey on the November calendar runs from the fourth to the third and then finally back to the fourth Thursday.  

Lately, it seems as if Thanksgiving is no longer a holiday, but the precursor to Christmas.  It seems to be more evident this year than ever, when many stores are planning to open for “Black Friday” on Thursday night…Thanksgiving.  Have we become so materialistic that we cannot take a full 24 hours to be thankful for what we have…before going out to get more??

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Try this.  If you feel an overwhelming need to get out and about on Thanksgiving, try volunteering at a soup kitchen or a food pantry. Take some of the money you would have spent getting a Starbucks peppermint mocha, or a Cinnabon at the mall and donate it to an organization that feeds the hungry.  Want to see Thanksgiving?? Giving a bit of time to these wonderful institutions will fill your heart with warmth that will last well into the Christmas holiday.  Check out these links_. 

 http://feedingamerica.org/

http://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/site/PageServer?pagename=diff_volunteer_volatagency.

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There are many other agencies around the country.  Google one near you.  I’m sure they would welcome you with open arms.  You can always get your peppermint mocha another day.  Happy Thanksgiving!