Thankful Every Day

In 1621, at the first Thanksgiving meal, the menu was dramatically different than what we eat today. While there were wild turkey aplenty, it was more likely that the fowl served was duck and goose, as they were easier to hunt. Potatoes and sweet potatoes at that time were a delicacy for the well-to-do in Europe [in fact, it was believed that sweet potatoes were a potent aphrodisiac, making them even more expensive].

If the Pilgrims chose to eat cranberries, there wasn’t any sugar in the New World. The cranberries certainly would have added a tangy tartness to the meal. There also wouldn’t have been any pumpkin pie since there wasn’t butter or wheat flour to make a crust nor any reasonable method to puree the tough squash.

I must admit that I much prefer the menu that we partake in these days. However, the reason for the celebration is more important than ever. We are
lucky to live in the most prosperous country on the planet, with comforts beyond our ancestors’ wildest dreams. We should wake up and give thanks every day for the blessings that we have; any problems we encounter need to be put in context.