Thanksgiving is about more than being thankful

When I think about what the first Thanksgiving must have been like, thankfulness is not the only major theme that comes to mind. Groups of people coming together to share a meal and learn about each others cultures; to feast and to praise, not to judge. That's Thanksgiving. As I sit at the table this year, I will not only think about how truly lucky I am and how many things I have to be thankful for, I will also think about how far we have come as a country, and as a community, toward peace and equality. (We may still have work to do, but we have made strides in the 200+ years since this nation was founded.)


Imagine what it must have been like to sit at that first Thanksgiving table. It must have felt pretty powerful. Sure they were thankful for the food before them, for the help from people who were once strangers and now friends, but stronger than the thankfulness must have been their feeling of acceptance, and of tolerance. They had overcome their differences.

My kids have Native American blood running through their veins. We are an all American family, and Thanksgiving is a perfect time to teach them about that part of their heritage and to discuss the important lessons of cultural acceptance.


My son Weston goes to a public school in Roseville. One of the things I love about it is it's diversity. There are children from all different backgrounds in his small kindergarten class of 20 students. I'm so glad he is learning these lessons early. I truly believe it will serve him well in life to remember his first friends and classmates and how their families celebrated different holidays and had family traditions unlike his own. We are blessed to live in a community that celebrates these differences and accepts us all.



Happy Thanksgiving! (Now, pass the mashed potatoes!.....please)