Thanksgiving: A Holiday Created by Adversity

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Today is Thanksgiving, or as some say, Turkey Day. Today is a day to spend time with friends and family, give thanks for all that you have, and of course, eat way too much food. 👪🙏🐷


In fact, according to the Calorie Control Council, the average American eats 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving -- for dinner alone. When you add in the calories from drinks, dessert, and appetizers, the total calorie count is closer to 4,500. You read that right, 4,500 calories! 😮


Being from the South, the food is exceptionally delicious, and we probably eat at least 1,500 additional calories for a total of 6,000. I just made that up, but we put extensive effort into having delicious meals. This meal is one way we show our friends and family how much we love them, and each dish is made with extra love and butter.  💓


Our not so traditional Thanksgiving lunch.


More importantly, this is also the time of year that we give our resources to others. We provide our time to organizations who need workers for the holidays. We feed the homeless. We donate money or extra food to help families have meals to feed their families. We make sure everyone has someplace to eat on Thanksgiving. If not, a place is made at our table for them. This is the time of year that we give back to our friends, family, and community. 👪


Of course, this year is more challenging for everyone. Many people here in American and other countries have lost loved ones due to COVID-19, so this year there will be empty seats where family members used to sit. Limiting the size of gatherings will also change the way we celebrate.  


However, as I thought about Thanksgiving this year, I'm reminded that the holiday began from adversity and has changed into the holiday we celebrate today from additional hardships. See the timeline below.


Thanksgiving Timeline

  • November 1621, after a year of severe famine and disease, the Pilgrims' first corn harvest proved successful. The harvest festival lasted for three days.
  • In 1623, the Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving after the end of a long drought.
  • During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of Thanksgiving a year.
  • In 1789, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation. 
  • In 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale launched a campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents, and other politicians, earning her the nickname the "Mother of Thanksgiving."
  • In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held on the last Thursday in November. 
  • In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week to spur retail sales during the Great Depression, and in 1941, he signed a bill making it official. 


So, as we face uncertain times during this pandemic, now is the time to focus on giving thanks, show love and compassion to others, give some of our abundances to others, and believe that better times are coming. 🙏💗  


We will get through this worldwide pandemic together. 🌍🌎🌏


Our after lunch walk. Now for a nap. 😴


What are you thankful for? Please share in the comment box below. 

Love each other better, and be blessed.

Jackie W. 

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