When I was being raised in my elementary school days, none of us as children called Thanksgiving day by its appropriate name, in Spanish it would be “Dia de accion de Gracias”. Instead, we called it “Dia del Pavo” which in English this is translated to “turkey day” (not the country please). This might be the puerto rican way to assimilate another US tradition adopted by us since American occupation of the island in 1893. Some people find this disrespectful because the main purpose of the day is to give thanks to our creator and it sounds like someone is worshiping the poor turkey who gave its life in order to be the main protagonist of the supper. Possibly one of the most hated days for PETA people now thinking about that. Well. Anyways, I think the most popular reason is laziness, a shorter word, everybody understand it. I remember to write down my prayers and was pretty much the only family member who always was ready to say grace. Not that I was a religious person, but I always had this leaning towards the spiritual, so I did everything I could to feel that I had a relationship with God. So yes, food is a very important part of this day and generally the average puerto rican will not confection American food, or at least not without adding some puerto rican “sazon” to it. Living the US, makes this season a little bit nostalgic. I tend to miss the days in which I spent this season with my parents and loved ones on the little island. But life is an unstoppable wheel. All we have left are the memories and the will of trying to live up to our traditions the best we can no matter how far we are from the soil in which we were born and the family who we love.
I personally don’t think a person has to be religious to enjoy this day. I also think this day don’t have to be the only day a person should pick to be grateful. Every day is a good day to say grace or just to be grateful to something or someone. Still, I see thanksgiving day an awesome day to practice meditation and to ponder on that in which we can give thanks for. So happy “dia del pavo” Enjoy with your family and think about something to be grateful for, then cheer it, this is part of being human.
Rick and Boris 