A Moveable Feast

Hard to believe that last week at this time we were in London, getting ready for Thanksgiving dinner prepared by friends. What a great time that was - a gathering of people from all over the world, brought together by an American tradition. It was different than being seated next to your aunt or grandparents, watching generations try to understand each other and get along, all in the name of turkey and stuffing. I definitely did not miss the nuances of family time - the ones who talk to much, drink too much, criticize too much. But what I love about Thanksgiving was very present - the smell of good food all over the house, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses, and an overall feeling of contentedness for the bounty that we are fortunate to have in our lives.


It is interesting to watch a meal that is meant to celebrate America being celebrated by people in another country - and one could easily feel that our holiday is being commercialized, and that the meaning is being diluted. But again, looking around the table, I thought of the Pilgrims and Indians, so different in their backgrounds, but (for the time being, anyway), brought together to share the land and combat the hardships of life in the New World. It makes me think of today's world - so frantic, over-scheduled, hurried. Our stresses are different than those of our forefathers, but we are nonetheless suffering: from anxiety, depression, and illnesses brought on by stress and poor diet. So when a group of people finds themselves in a "new world", i.e. an Australian in London, or a French person in Asia, it is no wonder that they have the urge to create new alliances and supportive groups of friends. In that way, we are very much like the Pilgrims, having escaped from our former confines (our hometowns and families), and making a new life elsewhere. In today's world, friends really are the new family.