All Americans have two “big” holidays and several “small” celebrations.
Easter, Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are NOT American holidays; they are originally pagan and now, for most Americans, “Hallmark” celebrations. Comparatively few Americans celebrate the days as Christian holidays.
The only two major truly American holidays are, in calendar order: Fourth of July/Independence Day
Thanksgiving
That’s not intended to slight Veterans’ Day (nee’ Armistice Day), Memorial Day, etc., although most of those special days are not celebrated as intended; bar-be-ques, days at the beach, and similar activities replaced visits to cemeteries and honoring those who protected our liberties.
Aside from American Indians and some non-Indian sympathizers, Thanksgiving is almost universally celebrated in America with family gatherings.
There are a few religious folks who argue that Thanksgiving is not allowed because it smacks of being someone else's religion. These people are part of a very small minority, even within their own religion.
I wonder, however, as we sit around the groaning board, how many of us take time to express – even if only to ourselves – for what we are thankful, and from whence the bounty.
Admittedly, those preparing the feast (and cleaning up after) may have to look elsewhere for things to be thankful. A person with a terminal illness might not be in the mood to consider being thankful for the years of good health preceding the illness.
For all that, each of us must have something for which we are thankful.
Even the folks who have to labor on the holiday – be it the Fourth or Thanksgiving – should be thankful they have a job and income. As a reporter, I worked most holidays, big and small. That is, admittedly, a great deal different than slinging hash or pearl diving (washing dishes) at the local burger joint, but a job is a job. (Yes, Virginia, been there, done that.)
I prefer to shop at stores that are closed on the Fourth and Thanksgiving; I make it a practice to do all my shopping the day before, and hopefully my larder will be stocked sufficiently to get me to the following “the sales are over” day. (I stood in enough lines when I wore a uniform for my favorite “uncle” (Sam); I don’t need to do it again.)
U.S. citizens are not the only ones in North America to celebrate Thanksgiving; the folks north of the border also make note of their blessings on the second Monday in October The Canadians also are “ahead” of the U.S with Canada Day celebrated on July 1.
PLAGIARISM is the act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts or passages of his writings, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind.
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