THANKSGIVING LESSONS 20101118

Dear China Friends,

THANKSGIVING  LESSONS

Each year in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November.  But have you ever thought about the blessings that have come down to us from those early Pilgrims?  First, we enjoy religious freedom because of them.  This was the reason they left England for America.  They were called Puritans because they believed in a strict moral code.  This is something essential for the good of society.  Also democratic ideals had their beginnings with them.  While still aboard ship they drew up the Mayflower compact guaranteeing self-government by majority rule.

Although half of their number died that first frigid winter of 1620-21, they were comforted by their belief in a future life beyond the grave.  This same belief gives us comfort as our loved ones pass on.  In the Spring their fortunes changed when the Indians came to their aid.  The Puritans thanked God that one of the Indians even spoke English!  They taught them how to hunt and fish as well a to plant corn.  From that meager beginning our country has become the bread basket for much of the world.  Our relief efforts are at the forefront of the major catastrophes around the world. 

As the first Indians welcomed the Pilgrims, so our nation continues to be made up of immigrants.  Since all of us have our ancestral roots in another part of the world, so we must continue to welcome immigrants to our shores.  It is this mixture of cultures that has made this country great.  We must not let bigotry raise its ugly head.  Hopefully, our shameful treatment of Indians and Blacks is behind us.  As long as people are law-abiding they should have their chance to experience the American dream.

Even our heritage of sports had its beginning that first Thanksgiving.  The Indians and Pilgrims competed in games and races, including marksmanship.  Sports are always a much better outlet for competition than going to war.  Wouldn��t this be a much better place to settle our differences on a sports field than on a battlefield?  Thanksgiving wouldn��t be complete without watching a football game after dinner!

The Pilgrims invited the Indians to a feast to thank them for all their help.  90 warriors showed up with their chief.  They did their part by contributing  5 deer and some wild turkeys.  They also feasted on ducks, clams, eel and other fish, shellfish, wild plums, leeks, corn bread, watercress and wine for 3 days.  Taking our cue from them we too have a feast we call Thanksgiving.  Today, a stuffed turkey is at the center of our Thanksgiving meal.  In the north the dressing is from dried wheat bread whereas in the south it is made from cornmeal.  Various spices are used to flavor the stuffing which is then packed into the turkey before it is cooked.  Our menu also includes cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, other vegetables and pumpkin pies.  Man, is this meal ever delicious!

This holiday is called Thanksgiving because it is a day on which we, like the Pilgrims, give thanks for our blessings.  What do you have to be thankful for?  I hope this season finds you and your loved ones well.  My daughter Carolyn will celebrate Thanksgiving with me.

Your friend,

Tom Atkinson