Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in America. It has always been my favorite holiday because it is about family and food – and life doesn’t get much better than that!

It has simple religious and national overtones which are also pleasant. The pilgrims/immigrants to America’s eastern shores who survived their first harsh winter made a day of thanksgiving. The day was to follow the harvest and all were to give thanks to God for the food that sustains life. Profound in its simplicity, this custom is certainly not exclusively American. It is universal to all people.

Jordanians put tremendous importance on family and food daily, and the thanksgiving message to God is embedded in their language at every turn. The fact that we in America single out one day a year for this and then consider ourselves content is amazing. Of course, family traditions vary everywhere, but for a nation to set aside one day in a year, where the prime motive is for families to come together to eat, is hardly worthy of admiration. Regardless, it’s still my favorite traditional holiday and I wish all A Very Happy Thanksgiving – wherever you are.

ASH