Happy Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

April would have been a good month for the Mayflower to land on the coast of Massachusetts. May, June or July would have been fine, too. The spring or summer months would have given the early colonists time to build shelters and raise or gather food for the tough New England winters. But it wasn’t in these pleasant months that our forebears landed upon this new continent: it was November.

One-hundred and two colonists landed at Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts in November 1620. The colonists came in family units, so there were moms, dads and little children. Settling this great land would be a family enterprise. Most of these early settlers, known at the Pilgrims, were also staunchly Christian in faith.

Their faith would be fiercely tested. Within two months of landing half of the Pilgrims died. In addition to lacking resources in the new land, they arrived here weakened from the long journey.

The spring of 1621 held promise for the settlers. Two Native Americans, Squanto and Samoset, offered their services to teach the Pilgrims how to survive in this fierce, new land. Squanto taught them how to grow corn, and hopefully everyone remembers the story of how he used fish as fertilizer.

The colonists were ready for their second winter in Massachusetts. In addition to the crops they raised the settlers found the forests provided abundant sources of deer, turkey and other wild life for their table. That November our forefathers and some 90 Native Americans pooled their blessings to enjoy a rich array of food and fellowship.

Even though life improved for the Pilgrims after that first fateful November, it doesn’t mean life became easy. Survival in the new land continued to be an immense struggle against disease, harsh winters, food shortages and the inhabitants who already dwelled here. There were also struggles internal to the developing colony, such as communal responsibility. Communal farming (later referred to as “communism”) proved to be ineffective, as those less inclined to work and produce found they could live off of those who were more industrious. Plymouth leaders eventually opted for the land to be divided into smaller lots, with each family given a plot of ground to plant food for their own families. This system promoted personal responsibility and industriousness, and produced more food. Some hard-working farmers even raised surplus crops to trade with the Indians for furs.

The Plymouth experiment was a costly one for the early settlers, but it was a successful one. Their pioneering spirit and hard work prevailed. Their faith in God saw them through. God sustained them. Inhabitants of this land today, now known as the United States, are the rich recipients of their work and sacrifice. We today enjoy an abundance of blessings that those who first came ashore could scarcely envision.

This Thanksgiving I will awaken in a house that is already warm. The yearly ritual of turkey, dressing, cranberry and other fixings will adorn our table by early afternoon. Cheryl and I will enjoy the company of our children and perhaps some close friends. Should we so choose, football or a host of other shows will be available for entertainment. Books lying about the house will beckon to be read. Everything about the day will be pleasant and enjoyable. My experience of November is quite different from that of the Pilgrims in 1620.

So I celebrate Thanksgiving, as do all Americans. And, with a significant number of Americans who claim Christian faith, I not only enjoy the blessings of the day, I try to reserve at least a few moments to remember.

Warren Baldwin