November 2020 Newsletter
THANKFUL
On the wall in my dad’s room is a sign which reads “There is Always, Always, Always, Something to be Thankful For”. I found the sign while shopping for items to decorate my mother’s room in a memory care facility after she was diagnosed with dementia. That sentiment was well used in our home. Mom would often say “Don’t think about what you DON’T have, think about what you DO have and be thankful”.
As we enter this Thanksgiving season, I’m reminded of the stories of the very first Thanksgiving that children learn about in school. We’ve all heard about the starving Pilgrims and the kindly Indians sitting down together to share in an autumn feast. I can only imagine the hardships faced by those native people and settlers alike. I am truly thankful that they were able to come together and survive. You see, for me, it is personal. Had this cooperative exchange not occurred, I might not be here today.
As many of you know, I am an avid genealogist. What began as an assignment in high school has become a life-long passion. As I stumble blearily away from the computer after hours of research, my husband will jokingly ask if I’ve traced my kin back to the cavemen yet. Very funny! But I digress. One of the most reassuring moments in my quest was getting DNA evidence to back up my research. I can confirm that I am descended from people on BOTH sides of that Thanksgiving story.
My 9th great grandfather on my mother’s side was Nanepashemet (aka New Moon Born). He was one of the greatest sachems (pronounced sawkum) in New England, ruling over much of what is now northeastern Massachusetts all the way to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. He died in 1619 just before the Great Migration of Puritans (or Pilgrims) from England occurred. His wife, known only as Squaw Sachem, along with their three sons continued to govern the area long after his death. Many land deeds to the early settlers bear her name, including such places as Concord, NH, and the largest part of what is now the greater Boston area. Over time, and under the influence of the colonists, the family surname of this branch of my family tree became Wiser and remains such to this day.
On to the Pilgrims. My father’s side of the tree is simply laden with early settlers arriving in Massachusetts from England during the early 1600’s. I guess the most “famous” ones would be John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, my 10th great grandparents who – yep – came over on the Mayflower. Of course, when we learned all about Thanksgiving in school and got dressed up in those white caps and black hats with the big buckles on them, I had no idea I was portraying my actual ancestors. I had no idea I was portraying my ancestors when I performed in a high school rendition of The Crucible, Arthur Miller’s account of the Salem witch trials either (but that’s another story).
So, you see, I’m very thankful that both sides were able to overcome their differences long ago and come together as fellow human beings helping each other and sharing food for however briefly a time in history. Perhaps there is a lesson here. Two groups of people of different colors, different religions, speaking different languages managed to work TOGETHER. Why should it be any different today? Maybe instead of thinking about all the ways to tear each other down, we should be thinking about ways to build each other up. Regardless of what we look like, how we speak, who we vote for, or what we believe in, we are all living in the same world and we all have the same basic human needs. Anything more than that is a blessing. Anything more than that is something to be thankful for.
Until next time…remember: There is Always Something to be Thankful For.
Sue
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