Three things you need to know about THANKSGIVING

November 20, 2020

1. Thanksgiving, as a national holiday, came about to bring the country together.

Thanksgiving became a National Holiday in 1863 during the Civil War. A woman named Sarah Josepha Hale convinced President Abraham Lincoln that a national Thanksgiving holiday would help heal a war-torn country. The Civil War literally tore families apart. Cousin fought against cousin, neighbor against neighbor, and brother against brother.  President Lincoln wanted to bring the nation back together. He hoped a national holiday focused on a celebration of the harvest and expression of gratitude would have a universal appeal. 

Today, Thanksgiving is a positive holiday that crosses religious lines and does not involve gifts. With or without football and black Friday sales it endures. Thanksgiving is perfect in its simplicity. We gather with family and friends, break bread, celebrate the harvest, and express our gratitude for our blessings.

2. The American story we all think we know isn’t how it really happened.

We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country. – Abraham Lincoln, 1862

The picture we all have in our minds of a long table piled high with turkey and pumpkins with English colonists and Native Americans of the Wampanoag Tribe sitting side by side celebrating a bountiful harvest didn’t really happen that way. According to modern day historians we now know there was a harvest celebration in 1621. The colonists were pleased that they would go into their second winter in the colony with adequate food stored. Their first winter found them unprepared with little grain and in danger of starving. They solved their problem by stealing corn from the stores and graves of the Wampanoag. 

The Wampanoag are a Native American people. They were a confederation of several tribes in the 17th century, their population numbered in the thousands. After the colonists came their numbers were diminished by disease and war. The first Thanksgiving/harvest celebration really went down like this. The English fired their guns in the air to celebrate their successful growing of Maize. The Wampanoag men came to see what was going on and settled into the woods to keep an eye on the situation. 

What was being eaten during the three days of celebration that took place sometime between mid-September and early November 1621? Turkey, eel, lobster, wild onions, native nuts, squash, beans and of course the corn.

 

Today, the Wampanoag descendants, also known as the “People of the first light”, commemorate Thanksgiving in different ways. Some consider it a day of mourning given the effect rapid colonization and displacement had on their people. Others gather with their families but without any talk of pilgrims. Native people celebrate a number of thanksgivings throughout the year because giving thanks is a big part of the Wampanoag members’ spiritual life.

3. Thanksgiving is good for your mental health.

Psychologists tell us grateful people are happier. (Psychology Today) “Gratitude is a positive feeling that has healing benefits. Gratitude is the expression of appreciation for what one has. It is a recognition of value independent of monetary worth. Spontaneously generated from within, it is an affirmation of goodness and warmth.” You may want to read that again, it’s worth a second pass.

Some folks wake up every morning and they are just grateful. Grateful for another day, the sunrise, bird song, whatever they are presented with they are just naturally grateful.   For others that warm feeling that is a biproduct of gratitude does not come naturally. It is something that they must work to achieve. Fortunately, anyone can improve their emotional health by consciously practicing gratitude.

Cultivating Gratitude begins with noticing the goodness in life. It is not about the stuff you have. It’s about the people. The family, friends, and the furry friends that you have around your real Thanksgiving table or your virtual Thanksgiving table. Connecting with these people is a good place to begin to grow your gratitude and happiness. Connecting is more than being in the presence of, it is talking to, and listening to, those close to you. It’s caring.

Consider putting Thanksgiving in your heart and carrying it with you for the rest of the year. Each day, consciously connect with someone. Get a journal and make a note of three things for which you are grateful. Do this each and every day. It will make your year happier.

www.bisslerandsons.com

Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory has served families in Kent, Ohio, and all of Portage County since 1913. The company transitioned ownership in 2018 when Rick Bissler retired and arranged to merge his family’s funeral home with the Billow family’s funeral homes, who carry on the tradition of high quality funeral, burial, memorial and cremation services. Their privately owned and operated crematory ensures that loved ones never leave their professional care. Visit bisslerandsons.com to learn more.
February 4, 2025
There’s a lot to consider when looking for either your or your loved one’s final resting place, to the point that it can be easy to get overwhelmed. The decision only becomes more complicated when you’re met with unfamiliar vernacular. One choice you may have to make is between entombment or interment. But what exactly do those terms mean? And what’s the difference between interment and entombment?
February 4, 2025
When saying goodbye to someone you love, you have a multitude of decisions to make. Some you might be prepared for, while other questions are new to you. One topic that many people are unfamiliar with is the concept of burial vaults and grave liners, which you may have to have in your loved one’s final resting place.
February 4, 2025
Food not only nourishes the body but also comforts the soul, making it a significant part of funeral traditions. Offering food signifies care and supports the healing journey during such tough times.
January 8, 2025
When the time comes to think about funeral arrangements, one of the first questions many of us have is, "How much will it cost?" It’s natural to look for a straightforward answer during such an emotionally charged time. However, much like finding the perfect car, the cost of a funeral varies widely depending on personal choices and specific needs.
January 8, 2025
Embalming can be a controversial topic. Some people are opposed to it, whether due to personal or religious reasons, but for others, embalming is an important part of starting their grief journey and getting a chance to say goodbye to the person they love.
January 8, 2025
Attending a funeral is one of those things that makes everyone pause, not just because of the emotional weight, but also the big question: "What do I wear?" Let’s discuss.
January 8, 2025
When it comes time to say goodbye to a loved one, the focus of the funeral often naturally falls on the family. It's the people who loved and knew the deceased best—spouses, children, grandchildren, friends, and even coworkers—who come together to remember and honor their life.
December 3, 2024
A preplan gives you a blueprint for what your parents want for their funeral, ensuring that you have fewer overwhelming decisions to make. But if your parents didn’t talk to your siblings about their plans, it’ll fall to you to walk them through that blueprint. How do you talk to your siblings about your parents having preplanned their funerals?
December 3, 2024
Preplanning a funeral often takes working with a knowledgeable funeral director who will be your guide in the planning process. But what if you can’t visit the funeral home in person? Can you still preplan your funeral?
December 3, 2024
Did you know there are actually quite a few decisions to make beyond whether you choose burial or cremation? Cemeteries offer a wide variety of final resting places for you and your loved ones, but which one is right for you? When you choose a mausoleum, you still have another decision to make: Which type of crypt should you rest in?
More Posts