Pam Dudding-Burch
Contributing writer
Eight-year-old Joey Trolier recently grinned and said that Thanksgiving meant, “Turkey, stuffing, thankfulness, salad, watermelon, tomatoes and saying ‘I’m sorry dear turkey!”
How can one not smile and maybe even giggle a little when reading those words?
Thanksgiving is celebrated in many ways throughout the world. But, for the USA, it has been an annual tradition by the presidential proclamation since 1863 and by state legislation by the Founding Fathers of the United States. History says it began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and the preceding year.
In 1941, federal legislation deemed it to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Wikipedia says that “what Americans call the holiday season generally begins with Thanksgiving, which has traditionally been a celebration of the blessings of the year.”
As President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God.”
For citizens in our area, many of those words ring true for kids and adults as well, and some chose to share their views of what Thanksgiving meant to them.
Joe Trolier said with a wink that he thought about the 29 shopping days left until Christmas. Lisa Chocklett Edge shared that to her Thanksgiving means, life, love family and friends!
“Thanksgiving means remembering the blessings, stuffing ourselves too much with the food we’ve been blessed to have an abundance of, football, hunting and family,” Rhonda Dee Moore added.
Arron Decker and Ruby Copeland shared similar feelings of thanks. Decker said, “For me, it means being around your family and being thankful that you have food because some people don’t have food, a roof over their head, clothes, a bed or family.” Copeland added that she was thankful for family, and her freedom that she is blessed with and for the people who make sure that this one day the homeless gets a good meal and a warm place to eat at.
Coming from a different view and having both parents pass this year, Donna Sue Law shared her heartfelt thoughts. “What it means to me is having all your loved ones gathered together and being thankful for our faith, family, homes and freedom. It’s making precious memories that will go on from generation to generations and create memories that one day may be all we have of those gone on before.”
DeeDee Smith and Barbara Hall added, “Family gathering together!”
Jeff Hostetter, a missionary evangelist in Bomso, who is currently battling malaria (again), said he believes it to be a family time to thank God particularly for America, the greatest nation on earth and remember the religious freedom the Pilgrims eagerly sought after.
Dawn Grimm Fisher said, “Thanksgiving means being thankful for what you have…especially family!” She added she was thankful for prayers from people who she doesn’t even know and was blessed to have people caring so, as well as being healthy and watched over by the Lord.
“Thanksgiving reminds me of faith, family, friends, food, being grateful, thankful and blessed,” said Amy Carter.
Some of the younger kids from McCleary Elementary and Craig County Middle School shared their thoughts too! Haley said, “Happiness!” while Annalese said with a serious look, “It’s cold outside!” Adalynn added that, “The leaves are falling outside and they are colored!”
Jaden shared, “I like playing in the leaves, raking leaves, playing with Dustin and throwing the football back and forth with my dad.”
Sara added, “Giving thanks to the Lord for he is good!” Annika shared that, “It means a lot to me because my grandma Wand and Granddaddy Jim always come over and my mom and dad are always cooking up cinnamon rolls for the morning.”
Betty Dudding shared that for her, it was a “special time to give thanks to the Lord for his many blessings, including our salvation through his Son Jesus Christ and that there is nothing like having family and friends around the dining room table. Love it!”
With so many wanting to tell their feelings about their thoughts of Thanksgiving, there seemed to be one obvious and overwhelmingly non-spoken thread that gently wove through them all, ‘love.’
“Regardless of where you may be and who you are, may this Thanksgiving be one where you will create new memories to cherish and build upon, may your hearts be as full as your tummies’, may your day be as bright as the morning sun and may this Thanksgiving Day be a true day of thanks and giving.” With heartfelt love, Pam Dudding-Burch.
