Tradition is Unstoppable - Embrace the Imperfection

Amidst undeniable tumult of 2020, I awoke this morning grateful to my ancestors – those known and storied. From perspectives scientific, historical and quite spiritual, their collective lives’ journeys are an unbroken chain leading to my very next breath. Contemplate this, and experience the true, undiluted essence of ‘awesome’. A single different decision or mishap along that timeline and you have the ‘grandfather paradox’ in full effect.

Much will be written for posterity about the challenges of the past year. Some of us have been fearful and grief-stricken, others displaced and desperate - and all of us have had to make major adjustments in our life patterns. Upon reflection, this has not been all bad. Aside from cabin fever en masse, we must acknowledge a closer proximity to some loved ones while lamenting missed holidays and reunions, grandparenting, and eldercare. Many of us know our spouses, partners, children, pets and associates more deeply than ever – the latter albeit two dimensionally over webcams. Hopefully we all emerge more compassionate and generous than when anchored trivialities.

We of course all know that the origin of Thanksgiving is mythical – but is this not the case for nearly all holidays, globally? Are they not shrouded in folklore? History by its very nature is at least mildly revisionist. The magic comes in the interpretation of intent. Who among us sees celebrating a day of deep appreciation as hypocritical? Is it not gratitude, perspective and positivity which ultimately define peaceful societies? Perhaps at least for today we set aside cynicism and enjoy the L-Tryptophan. 

This generational practice of giving thanks should be proliferated rather than cross-examined. Organized expressions of gratitude are as universal as the opposable thumb. This holiday is so highly valued that immigrant friends and associates from all continents and creeds adopt the tradition with alacrity, infusing Thanksgiving with the richness of varied culture and cuisine.

Rewinding a bit, I am grateful for my memories of Thanksgivings past – grandparents, aunts and uncles long gone but often revered. Serotonin-triggering smells wafting, and voices around supplemental card tables remembered. Simple traditions like approaching a table of colored construction paper, rounded scissors and paste to making buckled hats and headdresses.  

Mostly, I am grateful for relative safety and stability of my extended orbit, precious Thanksgiving memories, to my parents for distilling the best of themselves in raising me, and my own children for ensuring a purposeful life.  

May we never be jaded by expressing appreciation. None of us is an island, and recognition of those whose presence and efforts contribute to our lives, success and development is the bedrock of family & friends, the workplace, and civilization itself.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Spoiler Alert: Lucy’s going to pull that football. Charlie brown is going to whiff.