Across the United States of America families and friends converge to celebrate Thanksgiving weekend, whose origin can be traced back to 1620. Coming from England, a group of “religious separatists” (eventually known as pilgrims) on board a small ship sought a new home where they could freely practice their faith.
There were others on board the same ship that joined the voyage, lured by the promise of prosperity in the “New World.” After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, they settled in Massachusetts to establish a community but failed principally due to a brutal winter and the lack of knowledge and experience of growing crops. With some help from Native Americans, the Pilgrims eventually enjoyed a harvest that led then Governor Bradford to organize a feast, which is now considered as America’s first Thanksgiving. And, of course, the feast was, based on Bradford’s account, filled with a “great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc.” Since then, turkey, typically roasted or sometimes fried, is almost always seen at any Thanksgiving table in America.
When it comes to Thanksgiving celebrations in America, I usually enjoy the Asuncion hospitality in the Bay Area with my sister Melinda and her family. This time around, since my sister and her husband Albert decided to give their time and energy accompanying my nonagenarian father and octogenarian mother across America in their longest ever vacation (more than a hundred days), my port of entry was Los Angeles instead of San Francisco. This time around, my nephew Alberto Inigo, more known as Inno, was my welcoming committee in LA. Exhibiting the “generous genes” of his parents (Melinda and Albert), Inno, not surprisingly, gave his time, energy, and just about everything else, to make my short stay in LA action-packed, if not entertaining, together with my son Jason and daughter Nica. Years ago, Inno, whose online business Shareably with more than a million Facebook followers, was generous with his time as a 10-year-old as he helped me review for the California Bar exams by quizzing me during his study breaks. Giving does not have to correspond or even depend on one’s financial resources. My son Jason lent his talent in hosting a game show during our thanksgiving weekend celebration on top of sharing his talent in strength and conditioning coaching in the wee hours of the day/night. Despite the effects of jet lag, Jason managed to keep his grandparents, uncles and aunts, nephews and nieces, amused and entertained, all in the spirit of generosity.
Giving is not dependent on age as well, as seen in Ezra Carpio. Ezra, was only three years old when he died in a drowning incident. Through his parents, Ezra became the youngest organ donor in the Philippines. And by coincidence or providence, Ezra means “helper” in Hebrew. In the Bible, Ezra was a priest who helped restore the Jewish faith in Jerusalem. As they decided to give fully functioning organs to others, the parents of Ezra said, “Ezra will live on through others. With the support of our families, we decided to donate viable organs left in his body.” They added that, “Ezra’s kidneys are currently being harvested so that he can allow another person to live longer, and his corneas will allow seven other people to see the beauty of the world. This is the legacy we can give our child, so he lives on in the lives of others through sacrifice and the gift of generosity.” Ezra’s kidneys have reportedly been transplanted in a 24-year-old recipient. I can say that due recognition should be given to Ezra and her parents who are great givers in the mold of the greatest giver of all time—Jesus Christ. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). Even though we do not deserve salvation (and any other “reward”) due to our sinfulness, we nonetheless receive them because of a generous and gracious God!
Our country, reeling from the effects of a lingering pandemic, needs a kind of generosity beyond the financial. While the Philippines does not have a thanksgiving holiday unlike in the US, we can celebrate it by simply putting others first, in line with the Bible in 1 Peter 3:8 tells us, “Now, this is the goal: to live in harmony with one another and demonstrate affectionate love, sympathy, and kindness toward other believers. Let humility describe who you are as you dearly love one another.” Such verse reminded me of what my sister Irene prayed for to formally end our festivities as she asked our Almighty God—“Help us to work together for peace and harmony in our relationships. Grant us the grace to accept each other’s faults and weaknesses. Protect us from harsh words and hurt feelings.
Assist us to encourage one another’s strengths and abilities, Lead us to mutual understanding and support.” Giving can be as simple as encouraging others and living in harmony!
Giving is not and should not be dependent on one’s financial resources. In our own little way, we can give, and give with a gracious heart, either food as in the case of the pilgrims in America, time and money as in the case of my nephew Inno, talent as in the case of my son Jason, and even vital organs as in the case of Ezra Carpio. Let us all be good stewards of God’s resources that were sent our way.
A former infantry and intelligence officer in the Army, Siegfred Mison showcased his servant leadership philosophy in organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Malcolm Law Offices, Infogix Inc., University of the East, Bureau of Immigration, and Philippine Airlines. He is a graduate of West Point in New York, Ateneo Law School, and University of Southern California. A corporate lawyer by profession, he is an inspirational teacher and a Spirit-filled writer with a mission.
For questions and comments, please e-mail me at sbmison@gmail.com.