Nilfun" I say to myself, "Nilfun, maybe you shouldn't worry too much about
the whole history of Thanksgiving. Don't think about anything except enjoying
the family and the Turkey." And I reply, "Yeah, that is so right. There's so much
celebrating that you missed out on as JW. Don't spoil it for yourself! Enjoy!"
I think there are many things that have origins that weren't necessarily "positive" in the beginning, but how we celebrate them now I think is much more important.
It makes me think of two things:
1. Engagement rings. I watch something on the History Channel some time back and they stated that the custom of woman receiving an engagement ring was with the understanding if the marriage was not to come to pass, she would keep the ring as "payment" for her loss. I guess if the guy had to invest that kind of money, he was more inclined to marry the girl. But, we certainly don't view engagement rings that way, now. And even if the guy backs out of the marriage, the woman is expected to return the ring.
2. The term: "Rule of Thumb". A seemingly benign set of words meant to mean: A method of procedure based on experience and common sense. The origin? Well, it comes from old English law where a man was within his "rights" to beat his wife. Just as long as the stick he used was no thicker than his thumb.
So, I say...carve a great big jack-o'-lantern and gorge yourself on turkey!
Andee
