The other day, I was in Phoenix visiting with family and friends from Toronto. The conversation turned to Thanksgiving and how Americans open their homes and invite others to celebrate with them. This particular Canadian was so grateful for the generosity of Americans, having benefitted as an Iranian refugee in 1980 from American kindness. She went on to share, “Canadian Thanksgiving, isn’t like this… I wonder why?”
Thanksgiving is distinctly an American holiday. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. Thanksgiving is unusual in many ways. It does not commemorate a famous statesman, a battle won, or the writing of a historic document. Thanksgiving is a time set by Americans to express deep gratitude felt for the productivity of American soil. It reminds us of the dangers and hardships through which our ancestors passed. It gives us the opportunity to express our gratitude to God for all of the blessings that we receive as people and a nation of givers.
Early New Englanders had a Thanksgiving custom that kept their minds in contact with their gratitude for the sacrifices of early pilgrims. By every plate was placed five grains of corn as a reminder of the days, when their ancestors food supply had become so depleted that five grains of corn was the ration to those still alive. They did not want their children to forget that on the day the food ration was only five grains of corn, only seven people were healthy enough to take care of the sick. Nearly half of those who had come to this land of promise lay in wind-swept graves. By the grace of God and the caring hearts of our Native brothers, the early pilgrims were taught how to live in this new land.
Why is American Thanksgiving different than Canada’s or any other nation’s? We need only look back to five grains of corn to find the answer.
From all of us at the Grand Canyon, thank you for being such a vital part of our school community. We love and appreciate being a part of your lives and having you as a part of ours. Happy Thanksgiving!
grandcanyonschools
