...to be able to worship God in your own way?

I was reading a book to my 4-year-old last night about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving.

Sure,we are all familiar with the story and why we celebrate this time of year. But the first page of this simple children's book made me dig a little deeper. Over 100 people squeezed into a small wooden sailing ship, 22 of them children. They brought with them only meager staples such as cheese, bread, dried beans and salted meat to survive the trip, which took 66 days. They made this journey because the king of England would not let them worship the way they chose.

I have never been faced with a question of this magnitude. Would I take my family from our homeland to start a new life? Could I overcome the fear of the unknown for the chance to live and raise my children as I would like to?

Approximately half of the Pilgrims died that first brutal winter at Plymouth. Those who survived were mostly children. How frightening this must have been for them.

Then, an Indian named Samoset came to them in peace. The Pilgrims and Indians made a treaty to not only do each other no harm, but to help each other. The Indians taught the Pilgrims where to fish and how to plant corn, what berries, herbs and nuts were safe to use. They taught the Pilgrims how to be self-sufficient.

I am humbled by the thought of what this peaceful and helpful relationship between the Whites and the Indians could have become , had it continued in this way.

Can you imagine being so excited about a bountiful harvest that you would have ninety friends come over to share it with you? I have just started gardening and know it is a wonderful feeling to actually grow something. But I have become so accustomed to going to Publix to purchase my 12-16 pound frozen turkey perhaps I have missed part of the message.

If Pilgrims and Indians can come together and help one another, why can't working Moms and stay at home Moms come to terms with each other? For that matter, Democrats and Republicans, Catholics and Protestants and a thousand other diversities of people?

They set such a positive example that first Thanksgiving hundreds of years ago. I believe this spirit of loving can continue.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Blessings,
Terri