Today I took out my Thanksgiving decorations. I am one of those people who absolutely loves Thanksgiving.
In fact, it's my favorite holiday. In the stores I often have to search a little harder for decorations, especially Thanksgiving turkeys, porcelain, brass, wood, quilted. I have quite a collection. One of my favorites is a pine cone turkey made by my niece in kindergarten with pipe cleaners twisted into the shape of Thanksgiving turkeys.
From the rich aromas of traditional Thanksgiving dishes wafting through the house, to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. From the bowl games to the rich autumn colors, I love Thanksgiving...always have. People ask me why I love it so much. There are several reasons...but I will just give a few, three in fact.
First, it's a quintessentially American holiday established on our shores beginning in 1621. However, during the midst of the War Between the States, it became an official American holiday. Second, Thanksgiving celebrates faith, food, family and friends. Each of those important pillars of American life are dear and sacred to me. As Americans, whether we are young or old, we should continue to emphasize and perpetuate the importance and necessity for all four of these pillars that established and secured our American nation. Third, just the feeling of warmth I receive in reading or hearing once again, Psalm 100 or singing “Come Ye Thankful People Come” or “We Gather Together.”
One of my favorite holiday movies, and I know this is Christmas, is “The Waltons Homecoming” written by Virginian Earl Hamner, Jr. Just the word "homecoming" evokes a feeling of acceptance and warmth, a sense of belonging. We celebrated Homecoming services at our White Springs United Methodist Church on Sunday, Nov. 6. My first cousin, Linda Bullard Biggs and her husband Bruce Biggs were present.
As I sat on the back pew with my neighbor, I thought of Linda...She was christened in the small, beautiful Victorian sanctuary that is still a jewel box distilled in time...She married Bruce Biggs in the church in 1979. I sang at their wedding. Later, she attended the funeral of her son, a handsome young man stricken down in the flower of his youth by cancer. She attended the funerals of her mother and oldest sister in the small church near the banks of the Suwannee River. I saw those scenes in my mind and many others as I sat in a place dear to me...And even though my eyes grew misty as the treasures of the past unfolded, I silently gave thanks for faith, family, friends and, after church, food.
Thanksgiving, it's more than just one day celebrated in late November; it's a litany of thanks that culminates in late November, but which buoys us through life's wonder and uncertainties. So, very soon I will go down to Live Oak's wonderful antique stores and mall, and I do love that store. I will pick out one more festive Thanksgiving turkey to proudly display on my Thanksgiving table. I will surround it with sasanquas, kumquats and magnolia leaves. I will perk myself a pot of Community Coffee and celebrate, once again, my favorite holiday of the year.
From the Eight Mile Still on the Woodpecker Route north of White Springs, wishing you a blessed season.