Thanksgiving is uniquely American, first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Indians sometime between September and November.
It was a sporadic celebration from that year until Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
I have always thought of Thanksgiving as a challenge to all Americans to pause and be mindful of our blessings in spite of the circumstances in our personal lives and in the nation.
In that regard, this year seems to be more of a challenge than any of us would wish.
For my family sadness hangs in the air as we approach this Thanksgiving because of the loss of friends and loved ones, some expected and others quite sudden and tragically.
I find the state of the nation is also a source of sadness this year. We are a bitterly divided country with genuine questions about what the future holds, including whether the democracy we say we cherish will survive efforts to corrupt it.
What is more, I confess to coming to Thanksgiving table with resentments that greatly trouble me:
– resentment toward Donald Trump’s continuing efforts to exploit our divisions for selfish gain as he has been doing for more than five years…
– resentment for Trump Republicans who don’t want to disagree with people like me, but who seem to want to destroy us, annihilate us, and, if need be, destroy the federal government to achieve that end…
– resentment toward political leaders more committed to their careers than to the common good…
– resentment toward Christians and churches that have corrupted the Christian message with a craven nationalism that has turned faith communities into nothing more than political bases.
I have other resentments, but this list leaves no doubt that for me Thanksgiving this year is more of a challenge than it has been in years past.
That said, though, I discovered something that has helped me to begin getting out of myself and beyond my resentments, restoring some balance to my life that I am trusting will open my heart to feeling genuine gratitude when Thanksgiving Day arrives.
This experience couldn’t have come at a better time. It was one of those gifts of life that unexpectedly comes to us just when we seem to need something to change our day, our thoughts, our hearts, our outlook.
It happened when I read Maria Shriver’s weekly column in her online “Sunday Paper” that focused on Thanksgiving. In it she mentioned that she really liked Idina Menzel song, “At This Table.” I had never heard it so I decided to do a YouTube search and listen to it.
Not to be overly dramatic, what I experienced was one of those serendipitous moments in which I heard exactly the message I needed to hear.
America as a shining light in a dark world may be more myth than reality, but it has always been a myth that has made me thankful that I am a citizen of this great land.
Honestly, though, I haven’t felt that way much over the last few years, but “At This Table” renewed my spirit and rekindled hope in me that as a nation we actually can be a shining light in the world. Each time I listen to it I believe a little more that our democracy will survive, our country will regain its balance, and as Americans we will recommit ourselves to telling the truth and practicing justice.
I now consider it my unofficial national anthem and want to share it with all of you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
(The link below is the version that spoke to me. If the words are not on the side, key the search icon and it will take you to the version that has them. )
linnposts.com 
I hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving, my friend. Thank you for the blessings of your words and the gift of the music. Through both I have been blessed! Sending love and hugs! Jane Stout
Thank you, Jane. Much Thanksgiving joy and love to you as well.
I would love for us to sing this at church.
I think every church should, Mary. It might help church members act Christian.
Well said Jan. I love thanksgiving and have such wonderful memories of large family gatherings. But while I’ve come to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving with its modern focus, it’s important for me to acknowledge that for Native Americans the arrival of the Pilgrims was not generally peaceful and/or something to be thankful for. Like so many things I search for the right way to respond.
What a beautiful, uplifting song. My aspiration would be that I could become so welcoming and accepting. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
You, too, Wilbur.
Jan,
“At This Table” is a beautiful song with a powerful message, but sad to say it falls on deaf ears with me right now. The tragedy at the parade in Wisconsin has me trying to understand how a loving, omnipotent god can allow such a thing to happen!
Grandmothers killed and children injured and damaged for life at a Christmas Parade! This unspeakable tragedy has left me with NO faith. You will have to help me, my great friend, to somehow get beyond this…..
Bill Blackwell
Bill, I believe God created us to feel what we feel, to have doubts as well as faith, to believe and at the same time not believe. I have discovered that faith doesn’t explain tragedy and suffering. It is simply a tool in trying to cope with the pain we experience and the anguish it produces. I have also learned that faith is trusting there is a good God when it doesn’t make any sense to believe. You are certainly not alone in where you find yourself right now. We need to talk.
well said Jan, the resentments you mention are spot on, but our Thanksgivings growing up are happy memories. I will add that Thanksgiving and Christmas for me shows clearly the divide between the haves and have nots in this country and that diminishes somewhat the celebrations.
The divide is there, Guy, but our family found a way growing up to celebrate anyway, and we were among the have nots. I hope those today can, too.
Thanks, Jan, for being so honest with your feelings and struggles. Also, thank you for the link to the Mendel “At This Table” — it is beautiful and it soothed my soul.
Thank you, Coleen. Good to hear from you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Jan, thanks for this thoughtful reminder of gratitude and thanksgiving. Today’s circumstances have me caught up in my own resentments toward the causes of the current attack on American democracy. But your words of encouragement inspite of these dire circumstances are indeed soothing to my soul, even as I struggle to seek solutions on how to recover from our Great Divide. As I listened to your new National Anthem, “At This Table”, I was reminded of our discussion with Barbara and Joy, about “All Are Welcome At This Table”, this past summer. “At This Table” is a powerful example of how “humanitarian” interests must continue to be our guiding light as we struggle forward. So, yes this Thanksgiving, I will focus more than usual on how thankful I am for my corn.
I also want to express my sincere empathy and compassion to Bill Blackwell. Bill I understand the dilemma that you describe. And without trying to preach in Jan’s blog, I have found it helpful for me to separate “circumstances” of this world, with God. My observation of history and of life is that circumstances (other than Creation) are not created by God. They are created by human beings. Good, caring and loving people create good circumstances. And bad, evil and hateful people create bad and unspeakable, tragic circumstances. For me, what I am now learning, is that God is not found in “circumstances”. God is found elsewhere.
John Hamerski
John, I appreciate your response to my blog and affirm your memory of our conversations with you and Barbara this summer right after listening to the song. Also, knowing Bill as I do, I am sure he will hear your words to him as caring and wise. Happy Thanksgiving, and give Barbara our best when you next talk to or see her.
I just read your post…at the end of yet another thanksgiving with family of like ideas and missing the guy at the head of the table…and it made me realize how really lucky I have been to have had the family I have and the many friends…such as you. What a lovely song to end a lovely day…thanks. Anne
Anne Stout 504 Commons Rd. Apt. 231 Naperville, IL 60563
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Anne, thank you so much for this beautiful comment. I think of Bob often. Losing wonderful people and dear friends may be the hardest part of growing old. But the memories are special. Joy and I also think of you and when we do it is always with the hope that you are doing well. Take care.
Jan,
Like many people, I, too, am dealing with loss; I’ve had to install Mary in Assisted Living; she’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia. Her apt is about two football fields down the hall from mine, so I spend most of every day with her as we try to hang on to fading memories of a wonderful of 68 years of marriage. I am thankful for much this year.
Your words and “At This Table” give me solace and increased hope.
Cheerz! My friend.
Gene
Gene, so sorry to hear about your Mary. I know that has to be very difficult for you and her. Glad the song helped a bit. Thank you for writing. Take care.
Gene, I am saddened to hear about the loss of your wife to Alzheimers. My heart goes out to you and Mary in these difficult times. John
Jan and John,
Thanks for your wishes and concern. It means much to me.
Cheerz!
Gene