Families can be tricky and holidays have a way of bringing out the best and worst in them. Each person comes to the table, literally, with their own experiences, memories and perceptions. How one person sees their history, current place and situation in the family may drastically differ from the person sitting next to them. Being together may bring to the surface hard feelings and old wounds left unsettled. Communication may seem forced to the point that you wish there was a Squanto in the group.
Our "Friendsgiving" this year |
Sometimes circumstance and loss are so painful that it is impossible to be together at all. In many of these cases friends take place of family. "Friendsgiving" is a new tradition started in the past few years, to either replace the traditional family gathering or add another layer to the celebration.
Personally, I prefer President George Washington's inspiration for Thanksgiving. In 1789 he named Thursday, Nov. 26 as a Thanksgiving Holiday, for that year only. This celebration had nothing to do with Pilgrims or Indians, instead it was to be a time for “public thanksgiving and prayer” devoted to “the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.” I find it so interesting that all those years ago he knew, we as a people needed to be intentional and take a moment to recognize the good in our lives. President Lincoln saw the importance of this too and 1863 he deemed Thanksgiving an official holiday.
Meeks and Richards Families |
Holly Family ( a few years ago) |
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