Dear Editor:

Every year since the pilgrim arrivals in Massachusetts, our culture developed the custom of celebrating the year’s harvest on a day titled Thanksgiving beginning in 1621. Today we see this harvesting celebration in a reunion of family, friends, and neighbors.

Last week I caught up with a good friend of 64 years from my home town of Whittier, California. Miriam and Priscilla had organized the 60th High School reunion. Unlike Thanksgivings, school reunions often occur every five to ten years when the schools reconnect graduating classes to harvest all the old school memories and plant new updates of each student’s current life and sometimes planned futures. I always thought we were the lucky class since all four years of high school we had 500 students and all 500 graduated, with 80 percent of the class harvesting their grades and planting their roots in various universities and colleges. Eighty students were able to make this year’s reunion.  Every harvest of memories is precious and every member doesn’t want to miss the next reunion. The question is, should the 1958 class keep these memory harvests going every year, versus every five years as age is reducing our numbers more quickly?

Thanksgivings have consistently been family reunions because that is where love resides and joy and laughter gathers as the generations move from one to two, to three or even four generations.  I am so grateful that these celebrations include harvesting the rights and freedoms promised by our country and reminds us of the values we share in the United States and around the world.

Since the gift of plants and good foods were provided by God during earth’s design phase, those of faith begin their harvest with gratitude and recognition of the gifts we have received that are joyful, stretching our strengths to be able to overcome hardships and suffering without losing the gift of love. We are blessed with every year we are given to spend time with our family, our neighbors and the children of the future. Don’t forget, Thanksgiving is the largest harvest of love, joy and memories. Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone.

Jarryl Larson

Edgecomb