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Thanksgiving Thoughts and Thanks

Thanksgiving Thoughts and Thanks

Today is another loaded holiday in American history - Thanksgiving. And I want to talk about what Thanksgiving means to the Lily…

As an American, I grew up with the traditional white version of Thanksgiving history being told. Even then, I knew there was an unspoken sacrifice the indigenous people paid for their kindness towards the pilgrims. I’m white, I’m not dumb. But much like the history of other atrocities in our country’s history of POC, I will forever be at a loss of how I, as a solo person, can be part of a solution other than not letting real history fade away. I fully respect today as a day of mourning for all indigenous people, regardless of tribe or nation. And I fully welcome being informed on how today is honored and treated. Because we can’t try to recover for a better future if we don’t know everyone’s story. We can’t ever fix the past, but we can all try to work towards healing.

That being said, I do celebrate today as a day of thanks, but not in celebrating the past, I use it as a day to be thankful for those I have in my life, to be thankful for the food I’m able to buy and fix (sadly, a luxury many do not have), and to be thankful for the progression of time. I know that’s a weird one for many, but as a pagan, I relish celebrating the change of seasons, growing and harvest cycles, and entering the slower pace of winter—the good parts, not additional, controversial holidays. In North Carolina, especially in my zone 8b corner, it’s common to still have tomatoes on the vine and wondering if they will ripen before the first frost and collard harvesting season. I’ve served many Thanksgiving meals with vegetables and herbs collected that morning that were out of season for my friends in other areas of the country. (Yes, I know Mabon is a harvest celebration, but as a solitary practitioner, I prefer a day my friends and family can honor with me.) While I can’t always buy local, I’m happy to say my meats and fresh produce used today are from my state. That makes me thankful.

I’m thankful for numerous wonderful humans I’ve met since starting Lily’s Lore. Sure, I’m met some trolls and goobers, but I’ve met way more lovely people who inspire me, encourage me, and who have befriended me. As a weird introverted nerd who loves to info dump the spooky side of life, I managed to find a community of people who adore all of that about me, and I know I’m blessed. Not a day goes by that I’m not grateful for every reader, watcher, lurker, member, subscriber, chatter, and every other -er who supports me by consuming my content. I know my audience is small, but you are consistently there for the Lily, and if I could hug each of you, I would, and I’m not really much of a hugger, so that says something.

I’m grateful for everyone I call friend. I’ve made so many friends from across the globe, I get to learn about their awkward and controversial holidays. I get to see the sun rise and set across lands and oceans I’ll never see in person. I’ve experienced snow in October, while still melting in my own heat and humidity. I’ve seen summer in December, and not just because it’s still sundress weather in my own city, but because it’s on the other side of the world. I’ve been bed-bound, but exploring countrysides of places I can’t begin to know how to pronounce. All because I’ve been blessed with friends who share their lives with me. As someone who is friendly with everyone, but who has almost no IRL friends, my friends in my phone are a lifeline, and one I’m thankful for every single day.

So if you’re still reading this, I want to say thank you. And I hope you’re having the day you want to have, no matter where in the universe you may be.

Until next time, Lore Lovers, stay spooky💖

Header photo by Marius Ciocirlan on Unsplash
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Location: United States

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