by Susan Palmes-Dennis
“Give Thanks to the Lord; His love endures forever”
Psalm 107:1
I started off my Thanksgiving article with this Bible verse, a simple acknowledgement of the reason behind this most awaited celebration, perhaps even more so than Christmas.
Nov. 27, Thanksgiving Day, is a big celebration here in US. It’s an official holiday which means government and private offices are closed so families can celebrate it. Apparently however, not everyone agrees as can be seen in this story.
When I was new in North Carolina, my initial impression was that Thanksgiving is like Christmas; so much food on the table that it’s enough to feed one village.
To me back then, it’s like the fiesta back home in the Philippines where you can move from house to house and eat and celebrate with friends and even friends of your friends.
Thanksgiving is also that time when malls and stores offer all kinds of sales- clearance, Thanksgiving, early Christmas with rates from 25 to 75 percent. To non-Americans, this is called the “Black Friday” sale where buyers would line up outside stores as early as 12 a.m.
Tradition
It is the time of the year also when all turkeys would run away if they knew what would happen to them or so Grea Tulio-Penilla, a fellow Kagay-anon would like to imagine. “I’m glad that I am not a turkey,” she would quip.
I have asked some Fil-American friends how they spend Thanksgiving and I share this with you since we don’t have this holiday back home.
Lydia Empil Arnett of Thomasville, North Carolina said it’s been a tradition for her family to spend 4-5 days at the coast of Carolinas. “Thursday the 28th is Turkey day, an event to thank the Lord for His grace and for the sacrifice made by the pilgrims in heading to the New World,” she said.
Friday and Saturday are spent relaxing at the Fort Fisher war museum and Kure Beach arcade, Arnett said.
Gina Cohold of Charlotte marks Thanksgiving Day with traditional cooking such as turkey, green beans, mashed potato with gravy, grandma’s stuffing (Jim's mother recipe), etc.
Shopping
Jim's mother usually comes into town from Florida. “After eating we watch the Macy’s parade and karaoke,” Cohold said.
Elizabeth Ruthermund of Salisbury has this to say about her Thanksgiving: “Keven always cooks the bird then we help with the rest of the cooking. This year’s celebration is spent with his brother and sister,” she said.
For Ghing Voght, Thanksgiving is spent by her family with a visit to her sister-in-law for lunch. “Then we come home for a little nap, then in the evening will go out for Black Friday shopping with friend,” Ghing said.
For her part NC Knighngalez said she would cook a full meal for her family and spent the celebration at home.
Two Fil-Americans who used to travel on Thanksgiving and spend the days with the in-laws broke with tradition by deciding to spend the holiday here at North Carolina.
Blessings
According to Maria Rexy Weezorak, her family used to drive to Rochester New York to celebrate with in-laws. But they got tired of driving all the way up there so they stayed and cooked turkey, apple pie, potato pie, cauliflower and cheese and mashed potatoes.
Another Fil-Am, Dorena Reynolds whose husband Dexter is originally from Georga, stayed home and cooked traditional American food especially smoked meat and collared greens. Filipino dishes like adobo and pancit were also available in her menu.
Maria Corazon Ducusin Benrokiya also hasted to add that Thanksgiving is also the only time that she cooks all American dishes and “invite families to join her family” in the celebration.
Many years ago, US President Abraham Lincoln signed a proclamation in 1863 asking that "all Americans ask God to "commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife" that is the US Civil War and to "heal the wounds of the nation."
He declared the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. With that thought in mind, Thanksgiving Day means we are not only grateful on this day but for everyday that we get to spend life on this planet and partake of the blessings that God gave us.
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