A Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Since 1863, on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans celebrate the national holiday of Thanksgiving.

Here's a quick timeline (I'll spare you the history lesson... this time):
The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in 1777.
In 1789, President George Washington made a Thanksgiving Proclamation. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, during the Civil War, proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving.

It has been my impression that Americans have been taking this holiday more seriously, more lately, than ever before (that makes me very happy). Sometimes it is frowned upon as merely a holiday where we gorge ourselves and have leftovers for a week straight, but it's more than that...

Thanksgiving is a day where each of us get to value what's most important to us. For me, that's family. Only twice a year do all the Drissman family members get together (the other occasion being Passover and, even then, we don't always get to have everyone at the same table); I wouldn't miss this day for anything. My family celebrates over a brunch/lunch, which allows us avoid any scheduling conflicts and permits spouses to have their dinners with all family members as well, and while my mom does most of the cooking, there is some "pot-lucking" as well. This year, my SIL (sister-in-law) baked one of her ever famous desserts, a chocolate chip pie, my sister made a cucumber salad, and I made an apple cider-cranberry relish for our turkey. YUM on all three counts.

My brothers and sisters, my mom and dad, we may not all get along all the time, and we may not agree on political/social/religious/other issues, but we are blood. We may argue and we may disappoint, we may take actions that the other just doesn't understand (and never will), but we are family. In this country of 300 million, I have THREE sisters (one by blood) and FOUR brothers (three by blood). That's it - a very small number. I understand that there are many individuals who are simply not as lucky as I am when it comes to family - that's why I value and love them that much more. I'm not telling you to respect someone who doesn't deserve it - I'm saying, embrace those that do.

You also may have noticed that I consider my in-laws family. They absolutely are. Family does not need to be someone who is related to you genetically. I say blood, but family can (and should) be applied to those people (friends, cousins, etc.) who have similar values and morals to you, to those who take time out of their lives to be there for you during great times and difficult ones, to those who understand you and who don't (and don't judge). Family can be anyone who is worth the title. Judge wisely, embrace tightly.

Americans are one big dysfunctional family (we put the "fun" in it). We're not perfect. We aren't a melting pot; we are a stew.

America is not like a blanket - one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size. America is more like a quilt - many patches, many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven and held together by a common thread. -Jesse Jackson

Americans are individuals who may not agree on political/social/religious/other issues, but we are blood. We believe in our country and what she can accomplish. We love what she stands for, and we are proud that she is good (not perfect). Don't put anyone on a pedestal, it just gives them further to fall. But don't be fooled; she is the best country on this Planet Earth, and we are lucky to be born here. Don't take her (or any family) for granted.

America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. -Alexis de Tocqueville

One of the best things about a good family (both immediate, national, and everything in between) is that we can have civil discourse. We can "discuss" all day long, and in the evening, we still know that they have our best interests at heart and that they are only giving us a hard time because they care about what path we're on. Family is one of the most frustrating things, but as we are deep into this Thanksgiving Day (Season), remember that it is also one of the best. 


Find your family and embrace them. 
Happy Thanksgiving. May it last all year 'round.


BTW, in case you're interested, since relish can be eaten anytime, the recipe is below! Enjoy, and be grateful to all the wonderful, little, and big things all year long!

Apple Cider-Cranberry Relish

Items:

3 cups apple cider

3/4 cup sugar

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon orange zest

12 cloves

2 1/2 cups fresh cranberries

Directions:

In a pan, bring cider, orange zest, sugar, cloves, and cinnamon sticks to a boil. Stir and simmer for 15 mins until sugar dissolves. Add cranberries, increase the heat, and bring to a boil. Cook on high heat, stirring until cranberries begin to pop, about five to ten mins. Reduce heat, cook on low until relish begins to thicken, stirring occasionally. Remove from stove and discard cinnamon sticks. Pour into a bowl to cool.

Serves 8.