It’s the least commercial (except for the sheer number of turkeys involved), and possibly the most meaningful. There are no gifts, no pressure to spend. Just families gathering from near and far around the country to pause, reflect, and just be thankful.
And yes, the U.S. President really does pardon two turkeys each year, saving them from the dinner table in a lighthearted tradition that somehow captures the charm of this holiday perfectly.
Thanksgiving is a tradition dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims at Plymouth and the Wampanoag people shared a three-day harvest feast. It wasn’t officially declared a national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln called for a day of thanksgiving and healing during the Civil War. Today, it’s celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
As an expat, this holiday has become especially meaningful. We may be far from our original home, but we’ve created a new kind of family here- friends, neighbors, fellow immigrants, and local Americans who have become our village.
On Thursday, we’ll gather around a big meal. We’ll cook too much. We’ll laugh, reflect, and share what we’re grateful for- the doors that opened, the people who’ve supported us, the courage it took to start again.
Giving thanks is a deeply biblical act. “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18
And so we do- for the journey, the grace, and the people who make this new chapter so rich.
From our table to yours… Happy Thanksgiving 🇺🇸
