Thanksgiving 2008: In the Shadow of Mumbai

Posted on November 28, 2008 in Festivals

The four men sat at either end of the long table, separated by four women on the one side and six on the other. The host and hostess placed the side dishes along its length, leaving we diners to pass the pleasures and fill our plates until a neat mound rose on each of our plates. There was a little bit of talk about events in Mumbai — one of the guests had family who lived about two to three miles from the epicenter of the ruckus — and the usual political discussions which, because the company was almost entirely Quaker, did not erupt into the traditional heated arguments.

The one thing I missed was the declamations of thankfulness, which I find imperative in bad times. Not so long ago I was with a group where a member could not find a single thing to be thankful about at all. It’s a dangerous thing for people to be left to kill their spirit without simple reminders such as we are alive and thus still able to affect changes in our life.

I mark that I celebrate the lasting friendship of my wife, the new friends who have come into my life, my cats, and the dog. There’s no need for me to say things like “I’m glad that I don’t live in Mumbai” or “I haven’t drawn the bead of a terrorist’s rifle”. Thanksgiving isn’t a festival of gloating, but of simple acknowledgement of our good fortunes be they large or small. We say “I’m glad for the company” in good taste; “I’m glad to be living in America” smacks of selfishness and insecurity.

We pass the dishes and feast because on this day we have family and friends. Nothing more. Nothing less.