Happy Thanksgiving!

At Thanksgiving we all can't help think the Pilgrims celebrating with the Native American after their first harvest. They had survived a harrowing year. In little over year they had made the harrowing trip across the North Atlantic in the Autumn which is perhaps one of the worst times to do it. Once they landed they had to deal with an unknown land and Native American's who at first seemed to be just lurking in the shadows. Death was common place as only half of them survived until spring. Luckily they were able to befriend the local tribe, the Wampanoags and Squanto who served as a liaison between the two groups. With their assistance they were able to start growing crops and establish themselves. So by the time the fall harvest season came around they had a reason to celebrate and be thankful.

I find it saddening at times that their are those that dwell on the negative things that happened before and after this event. It seems some think they've found some hideous new fact or event that no one else knows or they think it's a great conspiracy or cover-up. It was as if two civilizations that were arcing into two directions of prominence and dominance. The Native Americans were already decimated by the diseases that were spread contact with early European explorers. It's hard to imagine the Pilgrims knew they were but the first of millions more that would land these shores in the centuries to follow. Yet I find many who want to blame them for everything before and after. I don't deny many terrible things came before or after this. I'd rather look at this moment and see something positive and symbolic of our ideals. I don't turn a blind eye to the negative but I always try to look for the positive. I think many try to judge them by today's morale and ethical standards. I think when looking at history one has to look through the eyes of those that went through rather than judging them by today's standards. What would you have done in their place? We all have the pleasure of looking back with 20/20 vision and can see their mistakes and triumphs.

I digress though. I really hope you all enjoy the day with your family and friends. Let's enjoy the day into what it has become which is a day for thanks, eating until stuffed and being with family and friends. Enjoy the moment!