THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

On September 6, 1620, 102 passengers, (The Pilgrims), left Plymouth, England on The Mayflower, with a destination of The New World. Although filled with uncertainty and peril, the New World offered civil and religious liberty. For over two months, the passengers braved the harsh elements of a vast storm-tossed sea.

Arriving in Massachusetts in late November, the Pilgrims sought a suitable landing place. On December 11, just before disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they signed the "Mayflower Compact" - America's first document of civil government.

After a prayer service, the Pilgrims began building hasty shelters. Unprepared for the starvation and sickness of a harsh New England winter, nearly half died before spring. Yet, persevering in prayer, and assisted by helpful Indians, they reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

In early autumn of 1621, the 53 surviving Pilgrims celebrated their successful harvest, (as was the English custom), and declared a three-day feast to thank God and to celebrate with their Indian friends. Indian chiefs Massassoit, Squanto and Samoset joined in the celebration with ninety of their men in the three-day event.

No further ships arrived in Plymouth until immediately after that "First Thanksgiving" when ‘The Fortune’ arrived in November of 1621.

But it’s not ‘that’ first Thanksgiving I’m speaking of.

Cindy’s dad, Moe, died in January of this year. When a family member is lost, each holiday seems to be thought of as ‘the first’ since their passing. The first birthday, the first Christmas, the first anniversary...

This will be ‘the first Thanksgiving’.

We will say a prayer, shed a tear, and then celebrate. Moe would not want us to be sad because of him. He’d say, “Pass the turkey and dressing and let’s eat.”

So let’s eat.

Happy Thanksgiving

Dan