I never understood why Thanksgiving was so turkey-centered. The Pilgrims ate a lot more than just turkey in the New World! Maybe that’s just my vegetarian sensibilities getting offended 🙂
Anyway, I am in E”Y right now so I am not celebrating Thanksgiving. I overheard one girl say poutily at dinner earlier tonight, “It’s not Thanksgiving without pie!” Okay, so it’s not Thanksgiving. We’re in Israel, for goodness’ sake!
Growing up, I never davka celebrated Thanksgiving but sometimes my aunt and uncle would invite us over for a meal, and I think my Bubbe once took us out to a restaurant before she fell ill. It was just never a big thing with my immediate family. I definitely feel grateful to America for the religious tolerance it has provided; imagine if I had been born in 1490 Spain instead of 1990 America! But I don’t see it as being unpatriotic if I don’t have a big meal on Thanksgiving.