Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day.   In the early 50’s I was tasked as an elementary school student to prepare and read an essay on the subject of the  Thanksgiving Day holiday.  I remember I approached the subject from a historical perspective, traced the celebration from Plymouth through Washington ( Lincoln’s decision to nationalize the holiday and set the date) to, at that time,  the “modern” celebration, of Thanksgiving.  For a lot of families, that means the three  F’s, family, food, football.  Nothing wrong with that, enjoyed it myself with the changing family over 60+ years.

My family did change, now that I reflect back on it.  As a child, we gathered with G-parents, aunts and uncles, cousins in one of  the ” old ” family homes, brought Mom’s favorite contribution, said goodbye to her for a few hours as she disappeared with the other women to cook, and sought the company of cousins of similar age to play games or other pursuits, mischievous  or not, inside or outside.  If the numbers permitted, and, depending upon the ages present, separation into groups of  boys and girls,  perhaps, boys versus girls. There was always  an image of that golden brown turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy in my mind, reinforced by the tantalizing aromas coming from the kitchen.  The adults had a large table, elegantly set, we either sat at card tables pushed together with folding chairs, or at the big kitchen table at Grandpa Keeslings farmhouse.  Separation of the generations was a great advantage for us kids, reminders of manners and proper behavior were mostly absent.  Grandpa, Dad, and uncles could later be seen stretched out with loosened belts in front of a TV “watching” football.  “Watching” can take place with closed eyes and open mouths.  As a kid I didn’t know that, but now I have first hand knowledge that it is, no only, possible, but quite enjoyable.

Gradual changes in “family” occurred as I got older.  The smug college student disdainfully engaged in word games with his “less sophisticated” parents before during and after the meal and couldn’t wait to return to the college atmosphere where his superior intellect could be displayed.  Any interchange with cousins was usually swapping stories of college escapades, basically of one conquest, academic-athletic-social, after another.  Well, medical school took me down several pegs.  The work, fatigue, and cut-throat competition, made me appreciate the ” safe haven, “and  the comforting acceptance of the family gathering of Thanksgiving.

With a growing family of my own, somewhat isolated by geography and the demands of my practice, and with the passing on of grandparents, the holiday was changed further.  My wife and I were responsible for the place, pace, and grace of the celebration.  The thankfulness was still sincere.  The smaller group allowed inclusion of all ages at “the” table.  Our attempt at a homestead lifestyle in New England seemed to fit the history of the celebration.  And, the following Sunday, Advent, introduced the Christmas season with gentle reverence.

Over the ensuing years, children growing into parents, my generation grew into the Grandparent position.  The holiday is still celebrated.  Family gathers from far and near, four generations often represented.  Food and football are still prominent.  But there are differences.  We are bombarded with advertising that seems to have wholly changed Thanksgiving into the beginning of the commercial frenzy that Christmas has turned into.  Thanksgiving Day sales, starting in the evening( who knows, maybe before the dishes are cleared), have already supplanted Black Friday, the biggest retail sales day each year.  Not to be outdone, other sellers have begun “Black Friday ” sales a week before Thanksgiving, even online.

Thus, my entreaty to put the fourth F in the celebration of Thanksgiving, Faith.  Faith in our fathers, or forefathers, including those who took part in the first Thanksgiving.  Whether we are descended from Mayflower travelers, pre-Revolution immigrants, or 20th century immigrants, we can look back at the Plymouth pilgrims and be thankful they persevered, be thankful that native Americans helped them survive, be thankful that their descendents, and others were responsible for the beginning of this wonderful country.  Those who fought for independence,  who developed our Constitution,  who fought to maintain our independence and extraordinary freedoms deserve our thanks.

Yet, the transformation of Thanksgiving into a massive buying opportunity is not my only cause for dismay.  I read of an elementary school that has succumbed to pressure from various do-good organizations (do-no-good, I think) and done away with their annual Thanksgiving pageant because of the “inaccurate” portrayal of native Americans, and their role in the first feast as well as the subsequent treatment of native Americans through history.  Good grief, does anyone here have a sense that something good came from that feast?  Has political  correctness and sensitivity reached such an extreme that children cannot recreate to the best of their abilities a special time in American history, even if they cannot guarantee that it is perfectly accurate?

Faith, faith in God, a desire for religious freedom, the possibility to live without the fear of religious persecution in a new place was a primary reason for establishment of colonies in the America, especially in New England.  That the  Thanksgiving holiday precedes Advent, the beginning of the celebration of the birth of Christ, seems most appropriate.  My thankfulness on this day is for our collective heritage, and for our freedoms, including that freedom to worship without fear of regulation or persecution.  My faith in a forgiving God, in his Son, Jesus, began in childhood has grown throughout my life.  The love of beauty, the innate sense of justice, the joy of relationships including friends and family are all evidence of God’s influence, His work.

So, my Thanksgiving prayer, grace at a meal, thoughts at the rare quiet times in these times, includes thankfulness for the courage and perseverance of the Pilgrims, the wisdom of the Founding Fathers, the sacrifice of those who fought and are fighting for our freedoms, and the opportunity to continue to enjoy the forgiveness of God.  Amen.