By Laurie Snider
Notes From The Nest
One of the very first lessons that our parents teach us during our formative years is to say ‘please and thank you.’ When given an offering or when something is done for us, we’re taught that the appropriate response is to say ‘thank you’.
As we grow a little older, we may not yet fully grasp the literal meaning of the word ‘gratitude’ but subliminally we’re beginning to understand it. It’s the warm glow radiating from our chest when we’re given the last cookie, when our algebra test is cancelled or when an unexpected snow day arrives. Eventually, we connect the dots and begin to know that gratitude is a feeling of appreciation or thankfulness.
In North America we even set aside a special day just to celebrate this. In Canada we mark it on the second Monday each October. In the United States, it’s the fourth Thursday of November. No matter the date, the sentiment is essentially the same: it’s a time to reflect on our comforts and blessings and to acknowledge them by giving thanks.
Contrary to what our American neighbours might think, according to canadian encyclopedia.ca, the first Thanksgiving celebration in North America was celebrated in 1578 by Martin Frobisher and his crew. They feasted on salted beef, biscuits and mushy peas. Mmm! They were also given communion and their chaplain gave a sermon giving thanks for safe passage. Even before European settlers began to appear, the Smithsonian notes, that long before, Indigenous peoples were holding harvest celebrations and feasts.
Officially, the first national celebration of Thanksgiving in Canada was in 1859. For a number of years the date was bounced around being determined annually by Parliament. At one point it even coincided with Armistice day, until Nov. 11 officially became Remembrance day, in 1931. Finally, in 1957, the second day of each October was decided upon and Vincent Massey declared it as “a day of general thanksgiving, to almighty God, for the bountiful harvest, with which Canada has been blessed.”
I prefer that, as Canadians, we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. The air is crisp, clear, thankfully cooler and the sky is often a remarkable shade of brilliant blue. The leaves dazzle with glorious hues of crimson, gold and orange, like jewels on the crown of a queen. Markets and stands are bursting with the bounty gathered by farmers, a result of their labours from spring and summer. Geese honk overhead on their way to warmer climates. And I enjoy reclaiming cozy sweaters from the back of my closet, ready to don them as the temperature begins to drop.
The traditional turkey dinner with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, squash and pumpkin pie began in Nova Scotia in the 1750s and was commonplace by 1870. This was one of the first meals I learned to prepare, with my Mom. My memories remain vivid, of standing on a chair by the counter, tearing bread into pieces while she sauteed onions and celery for the stuffing. The aroma of the poultry spices, pungent and fragrant made our kitchen smell heavenly, scents I automatically associate with Thanksgiving. It’s a tradition I’ve passed on, with my own children.
Baking pies, both apple and pumpkin, was usually done the day before. This was also a favourite task, enjoyed with our kids. There’s an art to rolling out dough in a circle, one I believed best passed on by letting them try. After, we’d let our creative sides emerge, as we made pastry leaves, pumpkins and acorns out of cookie cutters to top our pies with.
Decorating the table was also an event. We’d spend time outdoors, gathering leaves for pressing and scattering across the tablecloth and made pinecone and acorn vignettes to add to the ambience. One memorable year, after some inspiration from a magazine and just a tad of resistance from my dearly beloved, we set the dining room table out on the front lawn. We were joined by our dear friends and our fete complete with singing, readings and laughter was a rousing success.
Holding a celebration in October, with a clear focus on taking stock of our blessings is appropriate and meaningful. This is not a time for exchanging gifts but rather for being grateful for the ones we already have. It’s a time to gather with family and friends to celebrate our good fortunes. Now that our children are grown, holidays and celebrations vary from year to year and we can’t always be together. Time marches on and new customs and traditions, need to be woven, into the fabric of our life. The one thing that remains constant though, is the gratitude I feel for family, friends, our furry companions, food, drink and a roof over our heads. I’m truly blessed!