By Vern Holmquist
In a week or so we will be celebrating Turkey and Pumpkin Pie Day. Most workers will have the day off, and are thankful for that. To the many unemployed, it is just another day of wondering where their next turkey will be coming from.|
The tradition of having a special day out of the year to be thankful for what we have started way back in 1621 when about 90 native Americans brought on by a conscience – impregnated in all mankind – felt sorry for a few strangers from another land. They decided since they were there they might as well throw a party. They brought wild turkey, tastier than the kind we get today, and pumpkin and corn, and I believe some uplifting beverage. Keep this in mind because we now know if the Indians had stricter immigration laws we may not be here today, right.
In 1863 a special day, the last Thursday of November, was established as the day to give thanks for the bountiful harvest. But it was not until 1941 that members of Congress decided it would be a national holiday – so even those who worked for the government would have a day off from work. This, however, did not include our military or emergency workers who safeguard our turkey and pumpkin pie dinner. Just because they can’t sit at the table, let’s not forget them. Let’s say a special “thank you.”
Now back in 1940s times were a little tough, as they are today, and members of Congress were lobbied to set Thanksgiving day back a week – now here is when we go from a religious-inspired holiday to one of greed. It was determined that business, especially big business, should have an additional week to get as much money as possible out of the pockets of their customers by extending the Christmas gift-buying period. Thanksgiving was moved from the last Thursday of November to the fourth Thursday of November.
As you now see, Christmas gifts are on sale right along with turkey – people tend to spend more when their belly is full.
I only mention the above because in these times, troubling times for many of us, it seems right that we should be thankful for the many blessings we do have.
My father used to tell me “It is better to want what you have than to have what you want.” We never stop wanting more, are rarely satisfied, we want more, we spend more, it’s the American way, it’s our economy.
Unfortunately, there are those who see the want and find ways to turn that want into bigger profit for themselves. This brings on greed until greed gets to the point of destroying the economy and good times become bad times as we have now. I’ve seen it several times in my lifetime.
We’ll survive, keep the faith, be thankful and get a choice piece off that turkey.
