150 years ago in 1863, President Lincoln (cousin Abe as family affectionately call him) proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving, thereby making all states celebrate on the same date. This holiday is for giving thanks to God for the blessing of the year’s bountiful harvest. The holiday is also celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October although it has roots extending back in many cultures. There were celebrations in New England held by the Pilgrims, influenced by European harvest celebrations and much earlier history to the event.

On Facebook, I am blessed with many friends and family with Native American roots. I know many of them also see this holiday (as well as Columbus Day) as a chance to protest and lament the historic genocide of indigenous people in our country. The use of the Pilgrim and Indian meme for the holiday continues to prompt this issue. For each of them I say a special prayer, especially as I work on their local history. Collectively, we do share some turkey and stuffing. It is after all, supposed to be a celebration of harvest and thankfulness of the current year’s blessings.

Speaking of blessings, I must say I have much to be thankful for this year. Many of my readers know me personally. I, like many others, have had a difficult year with issues of housing, unemployment and family relationships. A special thank you to those who helped me through these. I certainly am grateful after eight years of working in temporary positions at various companies, to have a full-time permanent job. The security of this is something for which to be very thankful. I have a profound appreciation for paid vacation and sick leave and thank my union friends for their historic efforts to make this a reality for most of us. Those of you blessed have been in continuous employment in full-time positions have much for which to be grateful, perhaps more than you know.

I was also able to plant a garden in May and reap the rewards – and the work of doing a considerable amount of canning this Fall. The bounty was almost overwhelming. Finally in November, I am enjoying life without fruit flies.

So I have baked a pumpkin cheesecake with fresh eggs laid by the chicks I bought for Mother’s day and a pumpkin from the garden. I have additional eggs to give to friends who do not have the luxury of having a yard in which to raise hens. I am blessed with the ability to cook, bake, preserve/can and make candy – handed down through my family along with many fine recipes.

It is my sincere hope that each of you have things to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving, that you are safe and warm and your families provide you with a loving reception to a bountiful dinner. We all know this will not be the case for everyone, harm and disaster are all too common in the world. This year in my extended family, we have lost three fathers. On Thanks giving, the empty place at the table is truly heartbreaking. To all those who have recent family losses, sincere condolences and a prayer for a wealth of great memories of your loved ones. 

Also a reminder to donate as you are able, to the food banks who are stretched thinner than ever this year  since the lowering of Federal food stamp money began this month. If you can afford to send a little money to your company giving campaign or to a local shelter, they really need it. You would be amazed how many people they help. In this economy, these are often average people down on their employment or forced to live at low wages and hours.

Pope Francis said in his recent apostolic exhortation, “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses 2 points?” “As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems,” he wrote. “I beg the Lord to grant us more politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor.”

I will echo his prayer for politicians with more understanding of the full complexion of human society. And a big thank you for the readers who regularly find useful information in the Pierce Prairie Post. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marianne Lincoln, Editor