Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, First Thanksgiving (1621), 1914
In 1914 Jennie Brownscombe looked backward through time to create a vision of the First American Thanksgiving.
What she saw was a celebration. A celebration of plenty, because there was food enough to carry the group through the long, cold winter ahead. A celebration of fellowship and partnership, between Pilgrims struggling to establish a strong colony and Native Indians who helped them and shared their knowledge and their food. A celebration at which the Pilgrims gave thanks to God for their success.
It was a gathering of people of different cultures come together in peace, in thankfulness, and with pleasure in each other’s company.
Since then many other groups have become part of this tradition, have come together to celebrate Thanksgiving in the same spirit. They celebrate family, friends, and life in a place that promises peace, prosperity and safety.
Along the way, like the Pilgrims and the Native Indians, they have contributed their own flavors to the feast.
In that spirit of sharing and gratitude I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
