As a priest coming from India, I find so many fascinating things in the U.S. The beautiful seashores, National parks, mighty rivers, snowy mountains, mighty bridges, mile long trains, roads and traffic management, Cleanliness in public places etc., are some of these. I am also fascinated by the way people celebrate the festivals such as The Independence day, Halloween, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas etc. Though Christmas is the most important festival, Thanksgiving is a very special festival that is so unique to the U.S. In other countries too, thanksgiving festivals are celebrated but in different names. At times people who celebrate the festival are not even aware that the purpose of the celebration is to thank God or nature or people. But the Thanksgiving festival here in the U.S, is so clear about its purpose. It is to thank God. And every one is aware of it. It is the day when even the shopping malls look deserted as people prefer to spend the time with their family members. It is the day when families spend the time rejoicing, looking back all the good that has happened in their family. For the elders of the family, it is a very special day. It is a day when they see all their loved ones under one roof. The happiness on the face of the elders on that day soon becomes contagious and spreads to every member of the family. What a wonderful celebration. As an immigrant, I am fascinated and excited about this beautiful celebration. May the people of U.S always remain grateful to God. May God continue to shower his choicest blessing upon the U.S. May the U.S continue to be a guide to every nation on the earth. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration.
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A man in Newfoundland calls his son in Calgary two days before Thanksgiving and says, “I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.” “Pop, what are you talking about?” the son screams.
“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer,” the father says. “We’re sick of each other, and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Vancouver and tell her.”
Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. “No way they’re getting divorced!” she shouts, “I’ll take care of this.”
She calls Newfoundland immediately and screams at her father, “You are not getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there. I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there by tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?” and hangs up.
The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife smiling. “It worked,” he says, “they’re coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own way”.