Most of the leaves are now off the trees and have found their place along the curbs, beneath porches and nestled against houses and fences where most will eventually be covered with snow.  Houses are being decorated with lights and soon we will see snowmen popping up in yards, but until then, it is time to rejoice with family and friends.

Thanksgiving! A time for turkey, stuffing, football and giving thanks for all that we have is a tradition in most homes. So, for what are you thankful? Your health? Family? Friends? Me, I am thankful for all of those, and that the election season is now over, albeit not necessarily thankful for the results.

This past year has been tumultuous to say the least when it came to the campaigns whether for president, congressman or senator – I’m thankful it’s over so that we can now move on to more important things, like celebrating this wonderful holiday.

As I prepare for roasting the turkey, making pies and getting ready to enjoy time with family, I am reminded of the stories that I heard as a child of the Indians sharing their food with the Pilgrims and offering their hands in friendship. My father could spin the Thanksgiving story in such a way so as to make one sit for hours at his feet and listen to every word.  He told of the pilgrims who went fearlessly into the woods with their muskets and long blades while the women and children busied themselves gathering fire wood and cooking whatever vegetables they had.  When the menfolk returned, there would be a great celebration as they came roaring into the clearing with their muskets held high and wild turkeys and pheasant ready for the fire.

As Daddy would begin his tall tale, however, Mother would shake her head and stop cooking only long enough to call upon one of us to help with the setting of the table.  After all, company was on the way.  Daddy would continue his story tossing in some historical myths and facts about Captain Myles Standish and Plymouth Rock, and we would continue to sit and listen; Mother must have set the table herself.

Regardless of how much we had or didn’t have as I was growing up, Thanksgiving Day was always a day of celebration with family and friends. There would be the grown-up table and the kids table.  Bowls of mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and baked sweet potatoes were abundant.  But nothing could take away from the sight of seeing the turkey stuffed with cornbread dressing surrounded by Mother’s home made cranberry relish. Daddy would have made a huge bowl of banana pudding, there would be pumpkin, cherry, pecan and peach pies, and plenty of peanut butter fudge.  Regardless of who was or was not there, it seemed the feast would last until we could no longer take in another bite of food.  Yes, Thanksgiving Day was truly a day of family, friends, food and giving thanks.

Thanksgiving is but a day away, and whether the myths of the pilgrims and Indians have been proven to be false or factual, the day remains as a day of celebration – at least for those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the greatest country in the world.  But this day has become more than food and family.  For some there is shopping and Black Friday looming as soon as the last dish has been put away.

The tradition of giving thanks has become one of pushing our way through throngs of strangers and fighting to be first in line for the latest high definition television. It has become a day to begin scratching off the items on our Christmas list, looking for the best deal on the latest electronic device, or challenging our credit limit.

Every family has its own tradition and honors this day in their own special way.   Regardless of how you celebrate, take a minute and think of the words of Henry Ward Beecher who said, “The unthankful heart… discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!”

Or, if you are not of a religious bent, there is always one of my very favorite authors, Erma Bombeck who really puts things into perspective. Erma is quoted for saying, “Thanksgiving dinners take 18 hours to prepare. They are consumed in 12 minutes. Half-times take 12 minutes. This is not coincidence.”

Whatever you do, and however you choose to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, from our house to yours, Richard and I wish you a healthy heaping of love of family, a generous helping of good friends and cup over-flowing with laughter; Sam just says woof.

Have a great day.

Vicki Westling is a Dunkirk resident. Send comments to editorial@observertoday.com