Thanksgiving is a significant holiday for family gatherings and celebration in the United States, and it has a warm origin story.
In 1620, the Pilgrims, who separated from the Church of England, embarked on the famous “Mayflower” and journeyed across the Atlantic to settle in a new land. Despite building hope and discipline to survive, they faced unimaginable hardships and deprivation during their first winter.
Yet, even with barriers of race, skin color, and language, the Native Americans extended a helping hand to the struggling Pilgrims, providing them with emergency supplies and sharing vital skills for hunting and farming. This generosity helped the Pilgrims survive, and by the following autumn, they celebrated their first bountiful harvest. In gratitude for the Native Americans’ assistance, the Pilgrims invited them to join in the feast on a day dedicated to giving thanks to God.
Much like the Pilgrims and Native Americans, we are all unique in our differences. While these differences can create barriers, they also reveal a strength in unity that research has shown to be beneficial for all.
(Adapted from Things I Wish I Knew Earlier)
