24 Comments

Diane, this struck a chord with me here in Aotearoa New Zealand. We don't do Thanksgiving (its not our holiday), but I recognised those feelings when getting together with my brother and sister - and its not over politics. We've just grown apart due to distance and different life experiences. Oh and PS what's with the turkey pardoning guys? We don't get it. Asking for my daughter. :)

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LOL- the turkey pardon is the silliest of traditions! Since most turkeys are raised here for consumption and most are eaten during the holidays, the president always has two champion turkeys sent to the White House. Instead of axing the poor birds for the Thanksgiving feast (which is almost always turkeys -- yeah, feeding 300 million Americans turkey on Thanksgiving is a pretty deal!) the president pardons them to live a nice life on a local farm instead. Again, silly. Some people think that Abraham Lincoln pardoned a turkey at the first Thanksgiving (I don't know about that). But it has been a regular part of Thanksgiving only since the 1980s.

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PS Diana - sometimes my computer gremlins change letters!!!

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I have prayed ALL MY LIFE, since age 6-7, and I'm sorry to have to admit, "My Prayers" have never been answered, WHY? ? ? To me an answer to prayer should come maybe 5-10 minutes after praying! I say this with all honesty, "I" don't know a single person who claims

their prayers have been answered! After making a Universe (???), WHY didn't "GOD" write

the Bible, OR what ever book "HE" would want to instruct us through? ? ? I know that

Scientists & Academics ALL over the world are trying to prove GOD exists and that the Bible

is real, but are unable to! In all honesty; Whats wrong with this picture of "GOD"? ? ?

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Hmmmmm. I don't know a single scientist or academic trying that God exists or that the Bible is real.

If there is such a rare person, I suspect that he is a literalist Christian of some sort -- and will find himself come up empty at the end of any such search.

I can honestly say that prayers I have said have been answered. Rarely in any way or in any time that I expected. And, of course, other prayers have lain fallow with no discernible response.

Prayer isn't about getting stuff or procuring things from a divine slot-machine. Prayer is a conversation, a silence, an engagement with an awareness larger than our own that brings us into a place where our lives are reshaped, our eyes opened to new realities, a different and more grace-filled consciousness and compassion are experienced -- and can be practiced in the world.

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Thank you for this, Diana.

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Your suggestions are real and practical. The hardest part for me that I can't figure out is.... people I have felt deeply connected to for years, and they vote for trump... it feels like so much more than just disagreeing on a policy step, it goes deeper, it's a heart-break. I try to focus on what we still have in common, but it's really throwing me off balance.

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I completely understand

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An NPR article has a good title today-https://www.npr.org/2024/11/26/1215240047/thanksgiving-music-songs-of-gratitude

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I love this prayer. I have used it before in divisive groups and recommended your book to those groups. Your book Grateful is such a gift. Our church book group read it and found it helpful. Thank you.

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I am so grateful to you, Diana, for your bringing us back to gratitude again and again. This morning I read a devotion by the mother of a child with Down Syndrome who was reflecting on his thanking her for everything, even those things that are "inconsequential". I immediately thought of you. And was grateful.

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We will be hosting a “politically blended” Thanksgiving dinner this year. Our 39 yr old daughter, who left our church when she was 16 to explore a more Pagan lifestyle, has asked to lead the dinner prayer this year. It will be a responsive prayer taken from Robin Wall Kimmerer’s book “Braiding Sweetgrass.” Of course we said she could, and are very excited to participate! I will wear my #safetypin to let everyone know that no matter their chosen or natural lifestyle, I am a safe person to talk to.

Hopefully my MAGA in-laws will participate.

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I'm reading a book called "Belonging". It seems to be our greatest need and the one, at this point in time in our world, we feel is most absent. Despite our virtual connections, we are wallowing in alienation from each other and from the natural world. So, when one is offered a place in a tribe of like-minded people, an offer to be seen and heard, it is tempting to join....and many have. Add in that it's a tribe based on having well-defined "enemies" and the lure is overwhelming, even when it is untruthful.

In light of this, it is even more imperative to re-build other connections and not to feed the alienation. That takes Grace. Pray for that.

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When I think of the US election result and subsequent extreme appointments I scripture 'He gave them what they desired and sent leaness to their spirit' keeps coming to mind.

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Diana, I thank you for your noble efforts to help us deal with some difficult conditions. Bless you.

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Thank you for all

The reminders that gratitude is a choice. I hope I make wise choices around my mother this holiday time.

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Some can't gather with family who voted to eradicate them. It is just not wise or safe.

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That is, of course, exactly what some people have to do. This piece doesn’t tell you whom you should gather with - only offers suggestions if you are with people whose views you find difficult or wrong.

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Once again, thank you for your words to ease my heart. I will be sharing some as we gather on Thursday.

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This is so great and so widely applicable -- thank you. I will add to your list of ways to be together in "harmony": if you play an acoustic musical instrument, ask whether you could bring it to play on the side, not as a concert, but with others. Ask around what other guests play an instrument, and perhaps share a Google doc or etc. ahead of time of songs you all know / could sing or play that are "safe."

You wrote that nobody can get too angry at the person who brought that fantastic dessert. Same for music -- it's hard to get mad at the person who literally "plays well with others" and who also just sang that song you loved when you were in high school. 100 years ago, the musicians who came to the party were honored guests who added to the festive feeling. The jam wasn't a concert; it was the soundtrack above which the party occurred.

Playing / singing with others in a jam requires all the same consideration that a good relationship or a good conversation does: listen carefully; you don't always have to be the one talking; take turns; everyone gets a chance to take a solo if they want; everyone gets to sing if they want; there are no "bad singers," and when it's your turn you get to pick the song you like even if it's not everyone's favorite, because it's your turn. (And also, don't push awkward choices on people just because it's your turn so you can do it.)

Dust off that instrument. If an instrument you never played is calling to you, listen, and don't wait til next year to start. Make some joyful noise. Play across the aisle.

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That’s for resharing this, I needed to read it again :)

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