For as long as I can remember, Thanksgiving was a tradition we celebrated in our home. It was a time of family, friends, and food. But, like many immigrant families in America, our Thanksgiving meal included dishes from our homeland of Indonesia - and in our house, rice was a must.
My parents were immigrants arriving in the United States from Holland with six children in 1961, this may sound confusing, but my family immigrated from Indonesia to Holland and eventually here to the United States.
There is no question Thanksgiving was new for mom and dad, and they were clueless about this holiday celebrated across this country. But, I don’t believe participating in this American tradition was too difficult for them - they came to America thankful.
They had so many things to be thankful for - Mom and dad had survived world war two, dad was a prisoner of war in Japan, and mom was a young teenager living with her brother and sisters in Indonesia. After marriage and three kids, they eventually fled Indonesia to Holland in the mid-1950s after the uprising of Indonesia’s independence - and in 1961, they were living in America.
I remember my mom and dad expressing their gratefulness to live in America. They worked hard to raise seven kids. They didn’t let the English language or culture deter them from succeeding - they were thankful to live in a country that offered so much.
America is beautiful because of the diversity of people and ethnicities. People from different countries and cultures live in a prosperous and blessed nation.
Just as the pilgrims arrived and feasted with the indigenous people in 1621, this is what we do today - or so, I hope. We feast with thankful hearts with our family, friends, and strangers.
Thanksgiving is not a day of mourning but a day of being thankful - let know one steal that from you. Ungrateful people have unforgiven hearts. It is impossible to live in peace
today and for tomorrow without being able to forgive.
On this Thanksgiving day, I hope as a nation so rich in ethnicities and cultures, can sit down together with a thankful heart. Thankful to God, who provides for all our needs.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
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