By Mike Donahue
Thanksgiving Day is one week away and it’s always been one of my favorite holidays.
Observing a special day of thanks goes back a long, long time to when ancient Greeks, Chinese, Romans and Hebrews, among others, celebrated after a successful harvest (although probably not all on the same day). Those years when the harvest wasn’t so plentiful and successful, they probably just skipped the day.
In America, however, we celebrate every year, rain or shine, good harvest or poor.
In this country we trace observance for the day back to 1621 when the pilgrims and Native Americans got together and after agreeing on a peace treaty stuffed themselves on venison, ducks, geese, oysters and other traditional tasty treats.
I understand there was an exceptional harvest that year as well. I heard the Natives had taught the pilgrims how to plant corn with dead fish and it proved to be a very successful and productive agricultural procedure. (I wonder if the local Quail Hollow Farm … oh, never mind.)
Anyway, Abraham Lincoln made the day an official holiday in 1863 when he proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be a “national day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent father who dwelleth in the heavens.”
His idea was to try and brighten up the country which was deep in the horror of the Civil War. Remember the Battle of Gettysburg was in July 1863, during which there were more than 50,000 casualties.
Fortunately, for millions of Americans today Thanksgiving is a little lighter although we do have young men and women fighting in a devastating war or two.
Nevertheless, the current holiday generally means parades, football, a day away from work, and, most importantly, a chance to sit down with family and oftentimes friends to eat copious amounts of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, squash, yams, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, corn, and, well you get the idea.
In addition to the eating-as-much-as-possible part, sitting down at the table on Thanksgiving is also an opportunity to reflect on those things for which we can be thankful and appreciative. In my case, I’m pretty easy to please.
For example I deeply appreciate those people in our little rural valley who put together last weekend’s dinner benefit for Jake Pearce who was critically injured in an automobile accident in August; not to mention the artists and businesses who donated items to be auctioned or raffled off.
Jake is in Craig Hospital in Colorado. The facility helps patients both physically and mentally who are facing life-changing injuries.
I appreciate those who plan to continue to help Jake by sending donations directly to the Craig Hospital Foundation, 3425 Sit Clarkson St., Englewood, CO, 80113. (The donations must specify the funds are for Jake Pearce’s recovery needs.)
I really appreciate how absolutely lucky I am to live in a community where this type of event is not only possible, it’s a reality.
I also appreciate the Cappalappa Center that helps so many needy in Moapa Valley.
In a much lighter vein, I appreciate that if the need arises this Thanksgiving I can buy a Moapa squash at the Moapa Valley High School Farm.
I appreciate that the end is in sight for the sewer line project.
I appreciate everyone who participates in the annual Veterans Day parade and all those who support it by coming out to watch.
I appreciate that I don’t have to drive into Las Vegas on “Black Friday” to Christmas shop.
I appreciate all the different towns and neighborhoods that make up the Moapa Valley area.
I especially appreciate the many different people living in those towns and neighborhoods who make writing a column about rural living so interestingly possible.
“Rural Rants” is a column about rural living and the people who live here. It appears the first and third Wednesday of the month. Your comments and input are important and will be appreciated. Contact me via email at mouse@mvdsl.com
