The essence of Thanksgiving is around the corner; Black Friday awaits. Retailers are busy counting their money, which is sitting temporarily in our wallets. But Thanksgiving is not merely a day marked on the calendar for exhausting shopping. Thanksgiving is a day rich in history, a tapestry woven with generosity, mercy, empathy, love, kindness, and gratitude. These timeless values trace their roots to the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations, when Pilgrims and Native Americans came together in unity and shared gratitude.
The Pilgrims struggled through adversity, enduring the harsh conditions of a new world. They were met with empathy and kindness from the Indigenous Wampanoag people, who offered assistance and knowledge essential for survival. This powerful gesture of mercy and understanding laid the foundation for what we now recognize as the first Thanksgiving in 1621.
As the story goes, Thanksgiving was a feast shared between these disparate groups, symbolizing the spirit of generosity and love. “The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest,” said poet William Blake, capturing the reciprocal nature of gratitude evident at that historic gathering.
Thanksgiving itself is a time to practice gratitude—a virtue that Roman philosopher Cicero once heralded as not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others. Gratefulness opens the door to empathy and kindness, encouraging us to recognize and appreciate the humanity in each person we encounter.
The Thanksgiving tradition was further cemented in American culture by President Abraham Lincoln, who, in the midst of the Civil War, proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863. Amidst the conflict, Lincoln saw a nation in need of unity and healing, and in his proclamation, he urged citizens “to cherish a spirit of gratitude, recognizing with merciful importance, the highest virtues of kindness, warmth, charity, and empathy.”
In modern times, Thanksgiving remains a symbol of these timeless values. It encourages families and communities to come together in expressions of love, sharing meals and moments in humble appreciation for one another. Prominent author Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that even when I have pains, I don’t have to be one.” This echoes the Thanksgiving spirit—acknowledging our struggles but choosing to meet them with gratitude and generosity.
Another dimension of Thanksgiving is the act of giving back. It’s time to do good, to spread kindness beyond our tables to those in need. This act of giving is a concrete manifestation of the mercy and love that this holiday encourages.
As we gather around our tables, let us remember the values that history has endowed upon Thanksgiving. Let the spirit of generosity, mercy, empathy, love, kindness, and gratefulness guide our actions during this holiday and throughout our lives. Let us be inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words: “In everything, give thanks.”
By embracing these virtues, we honor Thanksgiving’s legacy and help our nation, which is struggling with political division, be bonded by love and understanding.
Happy Thanksgiving, Sonya
Grateful for you,
Brij
Bhambi Family