I love Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday. It’s not because I get to eat a lot of food, or spend all day watching football (though I do rather enjoy those things.) But because it’s a truly American holiday that everyone can celebrate.
Now I know other nations have their own day’s of giving thanks. I don’t mean Thanksgiving is exclusive to America. But I mean this day is a holiday that all of America can celebrate. It doesn’t matter what religion your practice, if you even practice one at all. It doesn’t matter what race, or ethnicity you are. It doesn’t matter if you’re family has lived in this country for 10 generations, or you just immigrated last week. Everyone can and will celebrate thanksgiving today.
It’s the only holiday that celebrates the American Dream do perfectly. It’s based on the idea that one day hundreds of years ago. Immigrants and natives of different races and religions sat down together in peace and gave thanks for the things they have. Now it’s naive to believe that the story of “the first thanksgiving” is absolutely historically accurate, but that’s not as important as the idea. Nothing embodies the spirit of America more than different peoples of different races, ethnicity, creeds, and religions coexisting in one place in peace.
You could argue America does a shitty job living up to this idea…. and oh boy you’d be overwhelmingly right. But it is still the core of the nation. And the proof of that is how much importance is given to this day. People will drive hundreds of miles, fly thousands of miles so they can be with the people they love on this holiday. But who does that for our independence day celebration? no one I know. We will drive a thousand miles to be with the people we love and give thanks for them, but not to celebrate our countries independence through war. I think that tells you what our people really value.
So what am I thankful for?
Naturally my family. We’re all spread out now, but I know they still got my back and I have their. Friends that live close by, and the ones that are far away. My girlfriend Lilly, whom never stops supporting the things I do. And you! yes you. You who read my blogs, read my comics, and buy my art. I’m wonderfully thankful for you to allow me to do a job that I love. Sure it’s rough some times, I’m not always sure I’m going to make rent, but I’m doing what I love, and you make it possible so thank you.
So please spend some time with the people you love today. Even if you’re like me and you can’t be with family or friends, we have the internet now, so go Skype with them, or Facebook message them or something! Give thanks and celebrate that we’ve made it this far! Save shopping for tomorrow. Today we celebrate the things we already have.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!