Great Expectations

Thanksgiving is about a lot of things.  Each of us would have a slightly different list about what's important but it's basically the same, I would suppose.  We have those hearty and savory foods that are special favorites.  Here in Indiana a lot of people talk about having chicken and noodles at Thanksgiving, Macaroni and cheese is also expected at many tables.  Growing up in Minnesota with a strong contingency of Scandinavian-types, we had meatballs, jello salads, lefse and of course, the traditional turkey.  Plus, there's always the big football game marathon!

Families gather and we talk and laugh and eat, eat, eat. But why?  Well, for one thing, if you work outside your farm environment, you probably got the day off with pay.  That's a good reason to celebrate in itself.  It's also just what our families have done over the generations and since we were kids. We know that there were Pilgrims and Indians (Native Americans today) and they all got together for a big feast and the Pilgrims were thankful that the Indians saved their lives.

Really? Actually, that's only part of the story.  See, when the Pilgrims landed, they decided that they had to stick together and take care of each other which sounds like a very good idea, indeed!  What they ended up doing is starving.  Part was due to not having a clue how to get started in this new country, part was some people not doing their share and so there wasn't enough food and certainly, the experience was grueling and took a natural toll on people.  This first attempt was nearly a complete failure.  But, being determined to survive, and knowing enough to take the advice of someone who knew what to do (Squanto), those early first immigrants learned how and when to plant their crops.  They took advantage of the best information source they had and got to work. So, by their next harvest, thanks to this new information, some good luck with the weather and dissolving the idea that "what's mine is yours" philosophy, people hunkered down and got the job done.  They had good reason to celebrate.  They figured "it" out and they knew they could make it work, particularly if each person worked and did their part for their family.  It wasn't going to be easy but they had turned a corner.

Historians provide multiple accounts of Thanksgiving and what was served.  Some even say that the nature of the Puritans would have made such a celebration very doubtful,  I, personally, don't care that much.  What I think Thanksgiving demonstrates is the absolute core of what America has been about and what I sincerely pray, continues.  That is the spirit that says while we are independent in our thinking and how we go about doing things, we are survivors. We are willing to do the hard stuff, willing to take a stand, to make things happen if you're willing to work for it.  Yes, that's pretty old-fashioned thinking (some would argue not very progressive) and if you aren't careful, some folks would think such an atittude gives a cold shoulder to those less fortunate.  But it doesn't at all.  Americans are hard working, caring people who do help their neighbors but, the first Pilgrims, in their stark and harsh environment, learned that trying to take responsibility for every other person, regardless of their participation and contribution, very nearly spelled diaster. 

If you're trying to make a tiny place like ours work or, if you have a big operation and its your sole source of income, you know it takes work and thought and the ability to learn and adapt.  I hope we don't lose the right to do just that by being so well-intentioned that we stifle peoples' abilities to innovate and survive.  So, this Thanksgiving, I will thank God for my home and family and the countless blessings in my life - most of which are not material.  I will also pray that we continue to be a country where hard work and dreams translate into a sense of accomplishment and challenges met.  Without the opportunity to learn how to overcome those challenges, Thanksgiving would be just a day to eat too much and watch football. 

I think it means more, at least I hope it does.

A happy and blessed Turkey Day to you all.