Thanksgiving is celebrated mostly in the U.S. and Canada. (Although Canada’s day is in October and the U.S. in November.) For those unfamiliar with the holiday.
This holiday originated in 1621, when a harvest feast was shared by plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag natives. As a result, some choose not to observe the holiday because of the association of colonization.
Instead, the holiday has morphed into something else. Some people choose to use it as an all you can eat buffet, spending time with family, or practicing gratitude in religious or spiritual ways.
Although each observance caters to everyone’s own beliefs, I personally believe that recognizing the history of what native people had endured is essential. It is important to continue to teach about the origins of the holiday as well as to remind us that there is still work to be done.
Like a lot of people of today, Thanksgiving for me, is a time of reflection, a time of giving, a time to atone for all the things that have passed. It’s not my favorite holiday, but it is certainly a time for teaching what truly matters.
Personal thoughts
One thing I would like to share is this morning I went to mass. It was my first time going to one for Thanksgiving, and I was happy to see so many people (9am).
One thing that was discussed was how the church took in food donations for those who needed it. They were able to bring in 100 food donations for the community and I was quite stunned.
When I think about giving, this is what I mean. It’s important to give to those who have nothing or are in need of help. That’s essentially what this is all about.
I hope that whichever way you have chosen to spend the day is met with peace, giving towards others, and love to all. ♡
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