Most of the North Americans I’ve met don’t realize that Thanksgiving is a holiday peculiar to the continent. While Germany, Bavaria, and Japan have similarly named holidays, to my knowledge no other countries in the world besides Canada and the United States celebrate Thanksgiving in such an elaborate manner.

While Thanksgiving is ‘the’ national holiday in the U.S.A., it isn’t so in Canada. Don’t get me wrong—it’s observed and is a day off, but not with the grand pomp and fervor of the American celebration.

I find the differences between the two nations peculiar because both are offshoots of Britain, both are ‘melting pots’ in terms of population, and both are immigrant-based nations. Yet—and any Canadian readers you can all correct me on this if I’m wrong—in Canada, Thanksgiving yields to Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid-ul-Fitr, Divali, and a whole host of other cultural holidays, in importance.

Over the years I have come to relish Thanksgiving because of the very fact that it’s commemorated by every single American no matter what their origins.

This year is my second without having all my sons present. Last year the young ‘un was in Madrid, and this year the wayward one (middle son) will be in California. He keeps trying to appease my sorrow and worry by reiterating constantly the fact that Google does whosoever’s left on campus proud with incredible feasts and fun-filled activities.

Sigh.

It won’t be the same, but I’m ever so grateful for Skype. We’re going to set up our biggest screen in the dining room and involve the wayward one even if he isn’t so inclined. His gramma insists on it (read his mom).

This will be my last blog before the big occasion, so I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone who’s celebrating Thanksgiving a joyous, happy, family-filled holiday!

Be safe!

Cheers,

Jianne

P.S. I’m on Cover Reveals on Saturday, November 30 – so those who aren’t braving Thanksgiving shopping please drop by – there will be contests galore and prizes!!! Heres the link: http://coverreveals.blogspot.com/