Happy November!
I can’t believe that Thanksgiving is here. I wanted to talk about something different
this year, rather than the usual: what we are thankful for and what we should
be thankful for.
I thought about the very first Thanksgiving and realized it was a very
important example of the acceptance of and respect for people who are
different. How frightening it must have
been for the Pilgrims the first time they saw a Native American. Here were people with different skin color,
language, hairstyle and type of home, not to mention the clothing they
wore! I wonder what the Native
Americans thought of the Pilgrims? Their
meeting, however, resulted in peace. A
treaty was established, which promised help and respect, not indifference and
aggression.
The settlers knew that they owed their survival to
the Native Americans. In gratitude,
they invited them to join them in a feast, which lasted three days and
nights! We continue the tradition of that
wonderful feast when we celebrate Thanksgiving and invite our friends and
family to share our food and our good company.
What a wonderful example of people caring for each
other and their respect for diversity.
On this Thanksgiving Day, of course we will think about the people and
things for which we are thankful. But
let us also open our minds and hearts to all people, just as the Pilgrims and
Native American did so long ago.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!
Sincerely,
Katie Haig
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