Cypress Hills Celebrates Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving began centuries ago as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

When Americans refer to the “First Thanksgiving,” they are typically referring to the three day feast held by the Pilgrims and Native Americans in October 1621. After a treacherous journey across the great ocean aboard the Mayflower, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, located in Massachusetts. Despite the many hardships they faced, the Pilgrims kept their faith and most survived the first winter, with help from Squanto, a Patuxet Native American who resided with the Wampanoag tribe, taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn and served as an interpreter for them. Squanto had learned to speak English during his enslavement in England. The Wampanoag leader Massasoit thankfully provided food for the colonists during the first winter when supplies brought from England proved to be insufficient.

It has since evolved into a day that brings together family and friends to show others just how thankful we are for everything we are fortunate to have. A time to remember how lucky we are to have a roof over our heads, food on the table every day or clothes on our backs.

Brooklyn Public Library consists of 60 branches that bring in an ever-changing and diverse population, so it is essential that we as an institution celebrate their differences. Each culture has its own special collection of holidays, its own unique daily rituals and habits. As a library system, it is vital that we acknowledge these celebrations and make it known to our patrons that we appreciate and respect everyone, no matter who they are.

Of course, this is not to say that we, as Americans, should dismiss our own celebrations. America has been forever known as a “melting pot,” a country built by immigrants who join the Native Americans to establish and transform it into the great nation it is today. People from all over the world journeyed here in search of religious freedom, more financial opportunities and some have even come here to find new adventures.

Last week, the Cypress Hills Bookworm Society (book club for kids) gathered to listen to a Kung Fu Panda adventure, called Thankfulness is Awesomeness, an easy reader story by Tina Gallo. Afterwards, they spent time reflecting on the things they were thankful for this year. Their thoughts can be found on our Thanksgiving book display.

The results were often surprising as there are many things to be thankful for, as pointed out by our younger patrons. Without hesitating, one child told me that he was thankful for his mom, because she was always there to read to him and tuck him in. Another child was happy that his parents did not force him to eat yucky food. The other responses included pets, school and friends. It seems that people, young and old, have begun to acknowledge just how lucky they are.

There are many ways to show gratitude. One such idea is a Grati-Turkey (see picture below). A simple turkey craft that requires a plastic jar, construction paper, and popsicle sticks, this is a kid favorite as it is easy to do, and provides deep insight into what Thanksgiving means to their loved ones. Use the popsicle sticks to show what you are truly thankful for and place each stick in a jar, as many jars as there are dinner times (they can be used as centerpieces for the table).

Another idea is a Thank Board. Pass around a large piece of construction paper or a chalkboard, and have everyone write down one thing they are thankful for. Writing your name underneath is optional, but it’s fun to guess who is thankful for what.

As stated, America is a melting pot of various cultures and we want all Americans to celebrate their own way. As a public space, we need to embrace the variety of cultures we come across each day as they celebrate, in their ways, why America is truly a great country.