Webster’s Dictionary defines Thanksgiving Day as, "a day appointed for giving thanks for divine goodness". It seems nowadays that Thanksgiving Day is being run over by the premature promotion of the Christmas season that used to commence at one tick past midnight following the fourth Thursday in November. The Christmas retail season is now in full bloom before Halloween.
Now I’m not complaining, I wish the spirit of Christmas was celebrated 365 days a year. It's just that Thanksgiving Day is truly a very special day celebrated with family and friends and all the traditional turkey day fixins. The menu expands a bit for our diverse Hawaii culture and palate that may include everything from poki, poi, char siu, hum ha, to pork guisantes, fried noodles, corn on the cobb, and cranberry sauce.
Even though today might not be a good day to be a turkey (unless you've been pardoned by the president, and end up in the American Thanksgiving Day Turkey Hall of Fame), it sure is the best day of the year to eat one. Now Honey Glazed Hams are also a great Thanksgiving Day dish, but don't receive as much publicity and glamour as does a turkey. Another contributing factor is that a "gobble" has much more of a mystique than an "oink", in my opinion.
All kidding aside, I would like to wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day that truly celebrates the gift of giving thanks for all that we have with family and friends. May we also reach out to families and individuals in need so they may enjoy a hot Thanksgiving Day meal that will help to nourish and feed their souls while experiencing the true gift of giving.
Also, my prayers go out to the men and women of our U.S. armed forces who will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day in harm’s way around the world and away from their loved ones.
