The True Meaning of Thanksgiving

As Thanksgiving draws near, we are very much aware of the arrangements that must be made for the celebration. Grocery shopping, guests to be invited, travel arrangements to be confirmed, calculations on the cooking of the bird. For most of us the machinery of Thanksgiving has already been set into motion, and in just a few days we will sit down to share a Thanksgiving supper. But what is the inner meaning of this holiday? What is the fitting symbol of Thanksgiving?

As visitor to America from outer space in late November might conclude that we worship the turkey goddess. So what is the deeper meaning of this holiday?

With the passing of my Aunt Carol and the memories of my grandmother present, I have decided to explain the true meaning of Thanksgiving as I have to my children. Now, I am not talking about the pilgrims and the Indians, but instead a day where we can unconditionally be thankful and just that. This is the day where no expectations of gifts are cast and people are just so dang thankful that you came over to their house that they make you a giant feast. Nobody’s feelings are hurt because you only spent $10 on a present instead of $50, couldn’t get a hold of the ZuZu pet, didn’t pick up a present from an in-law, etc. Instead a calm demeanor is present as bellies are full and people are sleepy while visions of peacan pie and mashed potatoes jump through their heads. Plays are presented to the family without the “oh so ever” fight of who gets to play Mary and Joseph… nobody cares if you are a pilgrim or an Indian, heck be a turkey. Truly, thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction and is a time, once a year that we can say we are thankful for something whether it be the job your husband just got or the magical resurrection of the XBOX 360 from the red ring of death. Thanksgiving is the forgotten holiday that not only fills our bellies, but our hearts.

So I found some great thanksgiving quotes from people who just seem to explain how to be thankful for something just oh so much better than me.

An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.
--Irv Kupcinet

Thanksgiving 8000 calorie poem

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
-Unknown

The pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts … nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving.
--H. W. Westermayer

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence.
--Erma Bombeck

Thanksgiving, man! Not a good day to be my pants.
--Kevin James