Today is Thanksgiving. In the States. As a Canadian, I snort at this as everybody knows Thanksgiving is really in October…
My parents emigrated to Canada from Trinidad in the late ’50s. I estimate that they must have celebrated around 40 years worth of (Canadian) Thanksgivings before they passed away. I remember family and friends and laughter and serious, serious cooking. I remember it being about celebrating the abundance of harvest as well as being thankful for all that we, as a family, had. I was about query what my parents must have made of this very North American event – this enormous focus on turkey. But if it was about being thankful, well – the answer is obvious. Canada was a big move for Mom and Dad. And they did okay. They did very okay. They created a family from new friends and old (those that had moved up at the same time as them) and together, they acknowledged the abundance of love and support that they continually received. (No, of course it wasn’t always plain sailing. All kinds of battles were fought – and won – in the course of their lives in the new country.)
Interestingly, none of us liked turkey. Neither my brother or myself go near the bird anymore. But, damn, my dad’s bird was a moist, tasty sucker. Dutifully accompanied by rice and peas, callaloo and a host of other reminders of “home”. A table that celebrated before and now and, of course, nodded towards our future.
Happy Thanksgiving.
nurse98 
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