Thanksgiving

Every Thanksgiving since my earliest childhood recollection we have had a pre-feast tradition that involved a review of 5 Kernels of Corn symbolic of the pilgrims rationing as related by Sterling W. Sill in his book "One Nation Under God."

Sterling Sill identifies an early New England tradition held to keep their minds in contact with gratitude. The 5 kernels served as a reminder of the harsh, stern days of winter when the food supply of the Pilgrims was depleted and five grains of corn was rationed to each individual.

The 5 kernels were for their children to remember the sacrifice and hardship necessary to settle as a free people in a free land; in memory of the 63 day journey aboard the Mayflower; to retain the image of the "stern, rockbound New England coast" and the inhospitable welcome received by its first settlers; the recollection of poor health when only 7 colonists remained to nurse the sick while nearly half of their group were laid to rest in a near-by graveyard.

There are Five suggestions given by Sill as to what the 5 kernels may represent to us and he identifies Gratitude for Life, the Abundance of Blessings, our God given American Freedoms, a Gratitude for Work, and Gratitude to God.

In 1st grade I had a teacher that loved to do plays (maybe this attracted me to Amy who does plays for many of our gatherings...). We reenacted the First Thanksgiving when I was 6 and I played the part of a pilgrim. The efforts, however, of Massasoit and Squanto in literally preserving the lives of the settlers at Plymouth Rock remain eternally etched in my mind. I have lost the script for the play but recall well the fun we had in depicting these crucial scenes in American History.

Many Thanksgiving feasts were held to commemorate new arrivals into the New World including the Spaniards in 1565 and the Virginia Settlers in 1619. But we always think of the Pilgrims, Miles Standish, Massasoit, Squanto and Plymouth Rock in 1621 in recounting the first Thanksgiving dinner. From this settlement many of our nation's strengths grew. We have the Mayflower Compact, Corn, Turkey, and observance of God's grace as a result of accounts of this first Thanksgiving on American soil.

While these five kernels nobly place our minds on what should and could be the emphasis of Thanksgiving. I feel, however, a strong urge to dwell on what the Pilgrims esteemed in their traditional observance of the 5 kernels. There are "stern, rockbound... coasts" in our lives. Health is definitely an item of concern and we are grateful for our contemporary care givers. We are also prone to observe our Mayflowers depart and leave us seemingly stranded.

Personally, I am grateful for the gifts and blessings my God has given me. These include gratitude for the blessing of a testimony and knowledge of Jesus Christ and His gospel; that I can return to live with my Father in Heaven because of his Atonement. My gratitude for an incredible wife who strengthens me in my hopes and pursuits. I am grateful for 3 little giants in my life who send me off each day with love and longing - they are admired for more than being adorable. My gratitude is also turned to all who have made me including friends, family and work associates. Like Clarence told George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life, "He who has friends is rich." Aside from these eternal tangibles, I am grateful for my temporal tangibles including a comfortable home, clothing, cars, and more importantly the privilege of work to sustain our family.