I Hope Your Thanksgiving Was Good

This morning, as my grandchildren headed out the door to school, their mother reminded them to share with their teacher that they were going to be celebrating Thanksgiving when they returned home at the end of the day. That may not seem like anything different unless you notice that they are attending school today. You see, they live in England. . .in Plymouth England to be exact.

Their mother has seen the importance in maintaining the link with her American roots in spite of her English accent and very English family. Links are a good thing. They form memories and a bonding unlike anything else.

I can remember a time once when my little girl bailed out of the pickup and ran across the street to look at what should have been one of the more important monuments she would ever view. Her response? "It's a rock. Mom, it's just a rock and not a very pretty one at that." She stared, confused, and then looked back at me. "Couldn't they have picked a prettier rock to land on?" I laughed and reminded her that they probably hadn't had much time to shop around for rocks and never thought that millions of people would eventually be looking at the rock as something of significance. A nearby stranger commented, "The kid's right. It's probably not even the real one." He walked away as did so many in the crowd that day. How was she to know that Plymouth Rock would have a place in her future?

Last night we talked on the phone and were discussing the components of a 'traditional Thanksgiving dinner.' She wanted to get it right for her family. She shared how she wanted the kids to know the history of their hometown and how it connected with the history of her homeland and I suspect a trip to the harbor may be in their near future.

Perhaps someday she will share with them a story of a young man, a cooper, who sailed to the new land and within a few years married a young lady with whom he had made the voyage. A Stranger and a Saint. Oh, John and Priscilla, if you could but see them now.

Wishing You All a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving