Relish Cooking

It was October, 1621, and the 53 Pilgrims in Massachusetts had just celebrated what we now refer to as “The First Thanksgiving.” Edward Winslow wrote in “A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth” that his governor, John Carver, sent four men to hunt wild fowl, and the Wampanoag Indians with their king Massasoit offered five hunted deer to the table. Squanto had taught the English to grow corn on hills and fertilize with fish, resulting in an abundant harvest. Together the two cultures celebrated their bounty giving thanks to God, and with their newfound friendships, shared recipes and tradition that would mark the beginning of one of North America’s most beloved holidays. It was a remarkable day, and a story worthy of reflecting on each year at every modern Thanksgiving table.

Although its location on the calendar has moved throughout the centuries, US Congress in 1941 permanently fixed the Thanksgiving date to be the fourth Thursday of every November. While the Thanksgiving menu has changed from venison, fish and roasted pumpkin to turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, the customary gathering of friends and family for the feast prevails year after year. The only thing that could perhaps be in jeopardy is the very thing we are supposed to be celebrating…the solitary reason that our God-fearing forefathers declared it a national holiday…the one, single, quintessential definition of Thanksgiving…to give thanks for all that we have!

So what exactly then, are we celebrating? Why spend 15 minutes per pound to roast a beast the size of a small car? What’s the motivation behind commissioning grandma to a long day of pie-baking, dad to his famous stuffing, and a visiting cousin to a case of Octoberfest? It’s a point worth pondering this season as we reflect on some of the devastating happenings of late. Fires, drought, earthquakes and hints of recession are all valid and very real reasons to simply show up just before ‘The Carving’ with canned cranberries this year, but that just wouldn’t be any fun.

You see, Thanksgiving is the opportunity - the choice, really - to celebrate our thanks regardless of who we are, where we came from and what we do. We’re all HERE and that’s the point. We have homes that get the newspaper delivered and eyes to read it. Most of us have people in our lives to help us when we’re in need, and please join me for a moment of reflecting deep gratitude for the freedom we are all enjoying by living in this country. Let us never forget what our countless global neighbors are experiencing that we’ve been protected from for hundreds of years. It is overwhelming to think of how blessed and how fortunate we are, even amidst tragedy.

A few days ago during the worst of the fires, my kids and I were assembling care packages for a large group of children who had been evacuated from their foster home when I got a phone call from my friends at COTO C.A.N., Deanna Vochelli and Kim Melsheimer. They had also heard about the situation and moved quickly to help. “Heidi, we need to feed all the foster children and their staff! Can we get you to cook a meal for 50?” Volunteering is so rewarding and I will testify that there is hardly a greater feeling than to see the faces of those in real need light up when you hand them a home-cooked meal.

Despite all that may be happening in your own world, can you think of someone you know who doesn’t have a home or is struggling to pay their bills? Do you have a neighbor, friend or family member who lives alone? If you don’t, any church, school or community organization like COTO C.A.N. can give you a list. What better, more rewarding way to celebrate our harvest, our bounty, this year than to bring them a bag full of groceries, a hand-picked bouquet of flowers with a little money or a meal and an invitation to your Thanksgiving table. Then, with your very best linens and china, with your favorite recipes and traditions, with each guest contributing their special touch, throw a banquet and really, truly give thanks just as they did nearly 400 years ago!