Hello Beautiful,
As many prepare for the transition into what some call the happiest time of the year. I, on the other hand, will be holding on to sweet November until the last day. And in advance, I want to thank you all for coming along for the ride as I share some of the reasons for my love and admiration for November.
Now on to my favorite holiday, well next to my born day, Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time where families and loved ones gather to celebrate and feast on a delicious menu. History.com highlights that in November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as American’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. In addition to the United States and Canada, today, there are other countries like Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia that celebrate their version of the sacred holiday.
For MEE, Thanksgiving is not only a time to give thanks, to share our bounties, and celebrate. It’s the most appropriate time to pay homage to our Native American brothers and sisters. Who welcomed the colonizers with open arms, severely malnourished, and many fell ill due to the brutal weather conditions. Most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy, and outbreaks of contagious disease (History.com). The Native Americans taught the colonizers how to harvest corn, fish, tap maple from a tree, and avoid certain plants. Which ultimately resulted in their first successful harvest; thus, we have Thanksgiving. A connection that began friendly and endured for more than 50 years, and tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.
So, as you and your families prepare to enjoy your feast no matter what’s on the menu on the last Thursday of every November. I invite you all to acknowledge the kindness, generosity, and selflessness of the Native Americans and honor their “givings” as we are the benefactors of their great sacrifices.
Have a thankful Thanksgiving.
In love and libHERation,
~TLM
