Happy Thanksgiving!

The Issue: Today begins the unofficial day of the Holiday season all over the country, including the CNMI.

Our View: It’s the most famous of American holidays when we say “thanks” or “Si Yuus Maase`” for all our blessings.

The unique aspect of this most famous of American holidays is the first peaceful co-existence and festive gathering between the Pilgrims and an Indian tribe more than 200 years ago.

It demonstrated to the rest of the country and of the world how a sense of community (transcending color of skin or religious persuasion) benefits all citizenry when they work side by side for purposes of survival.

Pilgrims endured economic devastation when they first started farming in the new world. They learned to work with an Indian in planting food for an impending cold winter. They both had everything to be thankful about to the Almighty for a good year’s harvest.

Almost every society the world over has its own version of thanksgiving for a good year’s harvest (see features in subsequent pages). In an archipelago where there are only two seasons, it’s hard for any of us to understand the hardship of winter months. At any rate, our ancestors too have taken on their own patron saints to say “thanks” for all their blessings in good harvest or catch from the sea.

Thanksgiving Day is an adopted holiday here. Be that as it may, its very essence is found in our way of saying thanks–novenas for patron saints–for all our blessings. There’s San Isidro the farmer however celebrated in October and others. There’s also Santa Cruz, San Jose and San Francisco De Borja, major religious festivities here.

For all our blessings over the last year, may we also take a few moments for silent prayers for others who may not be so fortunate on this Thanksgiving Day. Si Yuus Maase` and may you have a festive Happy Thanksgiving with your family.