Canadian Thanksgiving has nothing to do with Pilgrims and Plymouth Rock. Our Thanksgiving is a legacy of the Family Compact and British colonial rule. About 200 years ago, some politically well-connected leaders tried to establish the Anglican Church as the state church. One Anglican tradition was a harvest thanksgiving service. That religious celebration is the root of Canadian Thanksgiving. The state church failed to materialize, but the tradition of a day of Thanksgiving in October continues to this day.

We celebrate with turkey, trimmings and football, just like the Americans. We don’t have Black Friday, and a kick-off to Christmas. We do try to gather family to share the meal. I’ve delivered the meal on Sunday as often as I have on Thanksgiving Monday. This year we are being really traditional – dinner at noon with a turkey and trimmings today, Monday. No football though. I’m taking Nephew #1 to see Real Steel.

This hasn’t been my best year, yet if I dig I can find a lot for which I should be thankful. That’s what I’m going to concentrate on today – the things  for which I am truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!