Looking Back While Looking Forward On Thanksgiving

I’m not sure when you’ll have the time to read this, whether it will be before you have the time to sit down to the annual feast known as Thanksgiving or when you have the time to enjoy a few leftover turkey sandwiches from the surplus delicious Thanksgiving feast you’ve recently enjoyed. You’re probably still resolving to work off those extra pounds, which we all tend to put on at this time of year. However, if you’re like me, you’ll likely put off any effort until well after January 1st, if at all.

Having only just returned from a Caribbean Cruise myself, I started thinking about the journey made in 1620 on the Mayflower and am quite sure that journey was nothing like the cruising we do today.  Those 102 passengers and crew were in for quite a ride, as they spent two months or more on the Atlantic Ocean after leaving Plymouth, England, before landing on the coast of what is now Massachusetts instead of the intended destination at the mouth of the Hudson River in New York.

On our ship, we had 5,000 passengers with 1,000 crew members to meet our every need, and I’ll bet you not one of our passengers incurred any of the terrible diseases taken on by our travelers in 1620 that cost so many of them their lives.

There was no ship’s bursar to complain to about their cabin or any other matter regarding their accommodations. No kids were playing “Marco Polo” in the ship's pool, driving everyone crazy, and for sure the food was less than palatable to our tastes today. In fact, many would have a hard time keeping anything down due to the rough seas. 

Exposure and scurvy were commonplace, and by the time the first winter passed, nearly half of those passengers and crew had succumbed to either the effects of the trip or the exposure to the harsh first winter in the new land.

In fact, it wasn’t until later in our history that the holiday of Thanksgiving would be officially proclaimed, and it was President Roosevelt that changed the date to help stimulate the economy due to the Great Depression and moved it up a week to help create additional sales and fuel a lagging economy. Yes, capitalism at its best.

We unfortunately tend to forget the history of where we have come from and lose focus on what is really important about these holidays that we tend to take for granted. I wonder how many families will take the time to ask each other what they are thankful for and why it is important to them and how much of any discussions will take place because the time is taken up while on their electronic devices rather than thoughts given to those that have sacrificed so much to ensure the treasures of freedom we enjoy today.

We all need to take a moment this weekend to ask ourselves that simple question. Hopefully, it won’t result in reflections about material things we’ve acquired during the last year or the order we’ll place for a new car or an upcoming trip or cruise.

Those of us who live here in Southwest Florida should be very thankful for being alive after escaping the wrath of several powerful hurricanes these last three to five years. I know that seems like a long time ago, but for those impacted, it is a recurring nightmare. Many lost ceilings, windows, and screen cages or had some furnishings get wet due to the storm. Others lost everything they owned and have been dealing with the most catastrophic event of their lifetimes.

We did suffer some damage here on Marco, however our neighbors and friends just off the island in Goodland, Everglades City, Immokalee and other areas suffered a much greater loss than did we. 

The storms brought out the best in us and also revealed a dark side of human nature as some would seek to benefit from the plight of those who are hurting. Law enforcement continues to caution residents to be careful in their dealings with contractors who may seek to take advantage of those most in need.

I was disheartened to hear some complaints about being inconvenienced due to a lack of cable or phone service for a week, while others were without a roof over their heads, four walls to hang a phone on or even house a television. We sometimes tend to lose a true perspective of the reality of situations when emotions roll over us.

That disappointment was overcome by the realization of the good that was being done in the community. Our first responders, local charities and dedicated individuals rose to the occasion and put their needs to one side and focused on assisting those in need of a helping hand or just a sympathetic ear, allowing them to vent without fear of being judged.

Yes, Thanksgiving in 2023 should be focused on taking stock of how fortunate we were and the continued needs of our neighbors and friends. As a community and a nation, we know what it takes to recover from tragedies, whether they be catastrophic incidents that are man made or from those terrible occurrences of Mother Nature.

Remember your families during this time of reflection and be thankful for the simple things in life. Be thankful for those unique bonds of family which tie us together with our parents, spouses, children and other extended family members and for the great gift of friendship which we share with others, a gift which cannot have a value attached to it.

I sincerely hope you’ve had or will have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and will take the time to donate to those charities that help those most in need.