This year, I was tasked for the first time with organizing our Thanksgiving staff luncheon. I really had to think how I can highlight the meaning of Thanksgiving while keeping it fun. So, I thought, who doesn’t like Charlie Brown? Characters that are familiar to many growing up, a heartwarming cartoon with simple lessons. The holidays are a time to remember what it’s like to be a child at heart and remember those fundamental truths.
As Black Friday sales are revving up, and Cyber-Monday deals come in email blasts, the excitement for the best presents under the tree (are we watching Christmas commercials already?) seems to start sooner every year.
But wait, says our dear friend, Charlie Brown,
Charlie Brown: We’ve got another holiday to worry about. It seems Thanksgiving Day is upon us. Sally Brown: I haven’t even finished eating all of my Halloween candy!
As we approach the coming fourth Thursday of November, let us remember what Thanksgiving is about… food and football! Okay, just kidding.
So, what is Thanksgiving really about? The first Thanksgiving was held by the Pilgrims in 1621 to celebrate their first harvest since arriving to North America in late 1620. About 50 Pilgrims and 90 Indians were in attendance, and the celebration lasted 3 days at Plymouth. Honored guests were Governor William Bradford and Captain Myles Standish, and Minister William Brewster led the prayer.
The Pilgrims and the Indians learned from each other. And this year, we enjoyed celebrating our time together and remembering that everyone “brings something to the table”.
Everyone brought a dish. There was ham, stuffing, brussel sprouts, rolls, gravy, casseroles – a veritable feast! We took turns sharing what we were thankful for, and ended the lunch with some tasty treats.
In the center of the table, I placed a single pumpkin decoration. A symbol of the harvest and how blessed we are that our forefathers sacrificed that we could have so much. I believe Marcy said it best:
But Thanksgiving is more than eating, Chuck. You heard what Linus was saying out there. Those pilgrims were thankful for what had happened to them, and we should be thankful, too. We should just be thankful for being together. I think that’s what they mean by Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown. –Marcy
From your favorite Katy Dentist – Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted written by Eva Krueger