Thanksgiving: The Forgotten Holiday
It never ceases to amaze me that during this time of year, starting in September, stores begin setting out the Halloween decorations, and before it is even a distant memory, Christmas decorations appear. Halloween...Christmas..Halloween...Christmas. Is it just me or is there something missing? Whatever happened to Thanksgiving? You know…the day we traditionally believe the pilgrims celebrated in the fall with the Wampanoag tribe due to the bountiful harvest, and in my opinion, one of the most important days of the year and my personal favorite.
Yes, it has been merely reduced to “Turkey Day” and the “official day before
the Christmas shopping season”, but it is so much more than that. It is one day
set aside to fellowship with family and friends, and I must add, those in need,
in order to give thanks for all the blessings for that year, not withstanding
eating the wonderful traditional (and non-traditional) foods that go along with
it. Thanksgiving comes at the best time of year for me. The air is crisp, the
trees are turning vibrant with varying shades of red and orange with a hint of
green, the chirping of migrating birds drown out the monotony of the day, and
people turn their attention to feeding the hungry with the giving of food
baskets (I must add that feeding the hungry the other 364 days of the year isn’t
a bad idea either).
The Thanksgiving season gives me an opportunity to think introspectively about my life and my purpose for being me among so many. It gives me an opportunity to think about the people in my life and the role they have come to play in it. Thus, the purpose for me writing this to you. In some way be it big or small, you have touched my life and I just wanted to let you know that during this season of Thanksgiving, I am giving thanks for you. May this “forgotten” season awaken in you the importance for giving thanks to God for His unending mercy and grace and for giving thanks to those who have touched your life.
HAPPY REFLECTIVE THANKSGIVING SEASON 2007
Yours truly, Charity Bowie Riley