KS&L 414 The First Thanksgivings in the New World by Tina Erwin

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  I have spent many hours speaking to the ghosts of Thanksgivings past, to those stalwart souls who survived the early years of life in these United States. I have often pondered just why it was so amazingly cold during those particular years. In 1776 the Potomac river froze over. In the follow on years, the cold was so tremendous that most babies died of starvation. It is a wonder that anyone survived the severe cold.        However, one year was especially viciously cold. The year was 1789. At the beginning of this year, an unknown volcano in Iceland belched out 56 billion tons of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere of this planet for a staggering eight months straight. That loss of sunlight created a devastating situation globally and ultimately led to the riots throughout Europe, and precipitated the beginning of the French Revolution. Rivers all over Europe froze. Crops died from the sulfur dioxide. There was famine across all of Europe – which pushed more people to come to the United States hoping for a better future. 

       Those plucky settlers who came to the United States were also affected by this massive amount of sun-blocking chemicals, for the jet stream would have spread this choking poison all over the planet. But no one knew this. All they knew was that every winter day was a torture of the unending struggle of never having enough to eat, never feeling completely warm and never having a sense of complete safety. I'm sure they must have wondered if life could possibly get any harder.

       Children died of starvation faster than adults. Very probably all would have perished without the kindness of the Native Americans who shared their ways, successful ways that seemed ‘savage’ to the Europeans but were the pathways that enabled the native peoples to thrive in this bountiful land. Perhaps that lesson is that there is bounty all around you if you know how to find it. Sometimes you simply need to have someone teach you how to see it and even sometimes what it looks like! 

       So as we gather around our plentiful tables, perhaps we can give special thanks to all of those people who paved the way for us to be here today, by sacrificing what was warm, plentiful and safe for the rugged, often heartless adventure, that was and still is, the United States.

 Photography by Tina Erwin   

KS&L 86 Thanksgiving

This is the time of year we turn to considering all the things we are thankful for. But often we are made to feel that the world is in dire straights, is hopeless and that the sky is falling.

So perhaps it would be good to take a minute and look at globally what we can feel good about. Often, the press reminds us so continually of what is wrong with the world that we frequently forget to remember what is right with the world. So, here are some thoughts on what is right with the world at this snapshot in time. Please keep in mind that at any given moment, someone is demonstrating about something or someone or some government is doing something harmful, but if you look at the aggregate there are signs of hope out there.

The election is over and whether you are happy or unhappy about it, the government will still go on. We are an example to the world that you can have people disagree and still move forward and accept results.

All of North America, Central and South America are at peace.

India and Pakistan are at peace.

All of Europe are at peace.

All of Northern Africa and most of Africa is also at peace.

All of Asia is at peace. That, in itself is staggering. North Korea is being monitored by the Chinese - a first in history. Viet Nam is a trading partner.

All of the Middle East is at peace with the exception of Iraq and Afghanistan.

All of the former Soviet states are at peace.

There is unrest in many countries, but for the most part, this is not a planet at war with itself. Most modern countries are working very hard to prevent any hint of nuclear war. We are more aware of environmental concerns than we have ever been at any time in history.

The Internet and cell phones have linked the world. We will never see ourselves as alone on this planet because we know that we are part of the global community. More people are traveling to other countries to know for themselves that we, and they are the same, want the same things for our families, food, shelter, safety, love and economic stability.

The movement to spirituality is perhaps the largest planet wide, than it has ever been. We are aware of more people praying, believing in Angels and higher spiritual beings than ever before.

So, yes, as we consider that there are places of extreme strife, we must also honor and be grateful for the fact that the vast majority of this planet IS at peace and with continued prayer, hope and love, let us hope that in our lifetimes, all of the planet will be at peace at the same time. Happy Thanksgiving.