Thanksgiving

We just read a book called 1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving.  I have known for a long time that the original story was much different from the distorted "cleaned up" version we all learn as children.  And the story of what is considered the first Thanksgiving isn't even that terrible.  It was a harvest celebration by the English.  The natives came to see what the commotion was (thinking maybe they were preparing for war) and when they realized it was a celebration, they stayed and participated.  Kind of a diplomatic meeting.  But because of the soon after tragedies inflicted on those peoples and others through out north America in the years to come, I can see how they could feel Thanksgiving isn't really a reason to celebrate. 

The book is great at offering a lot of fact and it was a nice study, a bit more in depth then what we are used to.  I definitely don't want to sugar coat what actually happened when the English invaded this country and basically took it over from it's original native peoples.  I want my kids to know the truth.  But I also believe that a national day of giving thanks isn't a bad thing.  I know this holiday gets over looked as there isn't much to market besides food.  But I think the best thing we can do is to thank God for the blessings in our lives.  No, we don't need a holiday to do it.  Any day will work.  But there is something special about a day that is set aside for remembering to be thankful. 

That is the attitude I want to plant in my children.  To be grateful and to count their blessings.  (And hopefully they can learn not to step on the dreams of others at the same time.)  So learn the history behind the holiday, but don't let it dampen the spirit of gratitude that this holiday can help us to remember year after year.