感恩节，一个具有特殊意义的日子，虽然没有情人节浪漫，没有圣诞节喜庆，但却是最能令人感动的日子，生命因感谢而精彩。
【Turkey: It's What's for Dinner】
When the Wampanoag people and the Colonists sat down to their three-day feast to give thanks, they dined on lobster, fish packed in salt, dried and smoked meats, and freshly caught wild game. They did not eat corn on the cob (as Indian corn was only good for making corn meal, not eating whole) or eat pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce since sugar, yams, or sweet potatoes had not yet been introduced to the New England region.
Turkey is the big centerpiece of most Thanksgiving celebrations across the United States. Since records of exactly what was eaten at that first celebration in 1621 are fuzzy at best, wild turkey may or may not have even been eaten at the feast.
The thing is, turkey was one of the staples of the settlers' diets at that time anyway, as turkeys were in great supply and were enjoyed for their eggs as well as their abundant meat. So, even if the feathered bird wasn't there at the first Thanksgiving, the turkey quickly became a fixture at future tables.
Today, many families opt instead for a roast goose (which was almost definitely present at the first feast), a ham (which was almost definitely not present), or the new "gourmet" tradition of turducken (a turkey stuffed with a duck that's stuffed with a chicken).
Thanksgiving is one of the few feasts where even the vegetarians can go home full without much modification of the standard menu. Leave out the roast turkey and you still have sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn, cranberry sauce, apple and pumpkin pie, roast squash, brussels sprouts and a host of other seasonal sides and desserts to pig out on. Of course, you can always add Tofurkey (turkey-flavored tofu) or another meat substitute for the non-carnivores and turkey-pardoners of the group.
【All the President's Turkeys】
And just where did that US Presidential pardoning of the turkey tradition come from? Well, the tradition of officially pardoning a turkey dates back as far as Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, or George H. Bush, depending on whom you ask. Photos depict President Truman accepting a turkey at the White House, although it is not known whether the bird ended up on the table or at the farm after the cameras left the scene.
John F. Kennedy was presented with a turkey at Thanksgiving and decided to "just keep it" instead of serve it up. And when President Bush Senior was presented with a holiday turkey, he gave a lighthearted speech where he decided to officially pardon the turkey. Turkeys have been officially pardoned since that day.
Thanksgiving will see many families gathered around the television watching football, cheerleading competitions, or Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – or all three. The Macy's Thanksgiving Parade (originally called Macy's Christmas Parade) began in 1924 in New York City as a kickoff to the holiday shopping season. Since its first national broadcast in 1947, it has been a staple for TV audiences across the country.
Other families take advantage of the four-day-weekend holiday to take a trip – either to visit family or take a vacation. Either way, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is traditionally one of the most heavily trafficked days of the year by car or by plane.
Long airport delays, higher fares, unpredictable weather conditions and other travel hassles have some families opting to go local and bridge the familial distance on less difficult days.
For families who stay close to home, opportunities to participate in community celebrations, as well as opportunities for volunteering, are abundant. Many do-gooders go civic and volunteer at local soup kitchens, shelters, orphanages, and other charities to lend some helping hands during the holiday.
《感恩节，让心中充满感谢》美文
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
感谢你没有渴求到的一切东西，如果得到了你就不会再有期待。
Be thankful when you don't know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn。
感谢你对一些事情的迷惑不解，因为你可以有学习的机会。
Be thankful for the difficult times, because during those times you grow。
感谢那些困难的日子，因为你学会了成长。
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement。
感谢自己的能力所限，因为这样才有机会提高。
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character。
感谢每一次新的挑战，因为它会塑造你的个性和力量。
Be thankful for your mistakes, because they will teach you valuable lessons。
感谢你所犯的每一次错误，因为你可以得到宝贵的教训。
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference。
感谢自己的疲倦不堪，因为这意味着你已经有了改变。
Be thankful for your past relationships, someone better suited to you is waiting out there。
感谢你逝去的恋情，因为更合适的人正在某处等你。
It's easy to be thankful for the good things, while a life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks。
对美好的事物感恩很容易; 精彩的人生属于那些对挫折也心存感激的人。
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings。
感激之心能将消极变得积极。学会对自己的烦恼心存感激， 它们就会变成你的赐福!
