Happy Thanksgiving
This morning is Thanksgiving. Dietmar and I walked out this morning with our grocery bags to go to the store. We greeted our neighbors as we walked. As with all holiday mornings in San Francisco, the street was quiet with few cars.We had Mimi Ridges, our shepherd-ridgeback-corgi dog, with us. Mimi sniffed through the fallen leaves for possible chicken bones tossed the previous night. At the store, I enjoyed filling our bags with the ritual stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Dietmar, being German, had no particular attachment to the food's role in the ritual of Thanksgiving, but enjoyed our special slow time together (where on any other day, I would be on the computer and the phone). The cultural difference between us helped me to be aware of how important ritual is and the choices that we make to mark the moment to remember to be grateful. I thought, how grateful I am to give thanks, to have this moment alive, to feel grateful for my Thanksgiving morning.
Of all holidays, Thanksgiving is the most connecting to the earth. The day reminds me of what matters most to me. Wit this, I would like to share a thanksgiving prayer with you from the Mohawks below. Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends! Tiffany
Thanksgiving Prayer from the Mohawks
To be a human is an honor, and we offer thanksgiving for all the gifts of life.
Mother Earth, we thank you for giving us everything we need.
Thank you deep blue waters around Mother Earth, for you are the force that takes thirst away from all living things.
We give thanks to green, green grasses that feel so good against our bare feet, for the cool beauty you bring to Mother Earth's floor.
Thank you, good foods from Mother Earth, our life sustainers, for making us happy when we are hungry.
Fruits and berries, we thanks you for your color and sweetness.
We are thankful to good medicine herbs, for healing us when we are sick.
Thank you, all the animals of the world, for keeping our precious forests clean.
All the trees of the world, we are thankful for the shade and warmth you give us. Thank you all the birds in the world, for signing your beautiful songs for all to enjoy.
We give thanks to you gentle Four Winds, for bringing clean air for us to breathe from the four directions.
Thank you, Grandfather Thunder Beings, for bringing rains to help all living things grow.
Elder Brother Sun, we send thanks for shining your light and warming Mother Earth.
Thank you Grandmother Moon, for growing full every month to light the darkness for children and sparkling waters.
We give you thanks, twinkling stars, for making the night sky so beautiful and sprinkling morning dew drops on the plants.
Spirit Protectors of our past and present we thank you for showing us ways to live in peace and harmony with one another.
And most of all, thank you Great Spirit, for giving us all these wonderful gifts, so we will be happy and healthy every day and every night.
Translation by Chief Jake Swamp
© 1998-2007 American Indian Health Council.
http://aihc1998.tripod.com/mohawkpr.html