If you struggle with Thanksgiving history and traditions...

If you struggle with Thanksgiving history and traditions…

Here in the US, tomorrow is the Thanksgiving holiday. The first Thanksgiving was a gathering of Pilgrims and Native Americans to celebrate an abundant fall harvest after a year when many had perished from harsh winter conditions and plague. As with most of history, the story we celebrate is told from the perspectives of the “winners.”

While gratitude for the harvest sounds like a cause worthy of continuing, the Thanksgiving history and traditions have its roots in some dark times. The initial European migrations to what is now the United States stole land from the natives using brutal force and genocide, and brought slaves to help them conquer and build their dreams of freedom from oppression.

For this reason, when I lived 1500+ miles away from my parents and siblings, I chose not to acknowledge or celebrate this holiday. However, now that I’m living with my father and at the hub of all family celebrations, I do my best to enjoy the precious family time and of course the tradition of gratitude.

Yet, even the present-day family celebration has its stressors. As a vegan in a meat-loving family, if I choose to be with family – which is very important to me at this time – I am faced with the products of enslavement and cruelty to animals, practices which perpetuate and emanate trauma throughout our world and which are extremely harmful for our environment and increasing impact on climate change.

It's difficult to be in full-on celebration mode as the dark history and present-day cruelties nag at the conscience. When we bury our feelings and ignore them, they poke through the surface in subtle ways. Share on X

I find it difficult to be in full-on celebration mode as the dark history and present-day cruelties nag at my conscience. When we bury our feelings and try to ignore them, they poke through the surface in subtle ways. I find it helpful to acknowledge the pain directly with intention and prayer, and then move through the day with consciousness and an open heart.

If you can relate to any of this, first know that you are not alone. I feel you. Then, you might find this prayer helpful:

My Beloved, please forgive us for the pain and suffering we cause to each other, the animals and to this beautiful planet you have given to sustain us.

Please lift the souls of all who have suffered and died in the name of our growth and freedom.

Please open our eyes, awaken our hearts and guide our actions to be in love, kindness and compassion for ourselves and each other, and for the health and sustainability of all life on our planet.

Thank you for the gifts of family, friends, community and sustenance. Please bless each of us and our time together and all of the bounty You provide for us.

We give thanks for this food that You have given from Your earth.
Please bless this food and make it holy
to nourish our bodies, minds, hearts, souls and spirits.

We offer and receive this food as a gift of
nourishment for our bodies,
love for our hearts
and reverence for our spirits.

The last 2 paragraphs are a prayer I like to say with every meal. I highly recommend it.

When you’re alone, you can change the pronouns to I/my and of course tweak it to fit your beliefs. In any case, feel it. Let it sink in. Breathe.

I hope this brings some peace to your heart. May you have a blessed day, wherever you are and whatever you do.

Live and Love Joyfully!

THANK YOU!!
Debra Mastura Graugnard

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