Being Consciously Thankful Right Where We Are

     As the hours slipped a little past twelve, like a kid awaiting presents on Christmas eve, the spirit of Thanksgiving was felt, except I did not have my complete health. I looked at the clock at twelve-thirty something with a lump in my throat from a coming sickness of a cold, thankful that my son was safe with me, pondered the coming day and took a teaspoon of honey and cayenne before attempting to sleep.

     Let me jump to a little bit of background for your understanding before I dive deeper into a history of truth and thanks.  My first books as a child came from my fathers library, not your typical "Huck Finn," or any of those other classics as I learned the passion and struggle behind Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee and the truths of  Before the Mayflower.  I recall a few early sunrise services at Alcatraz with the Ohlone, a proud nation of people that once inhabited most of the San Francisco Bay Area before the Spanish and American settlers.  I used to hate waking up that early, cold as heck... to go burn sage and say prayers with the elders and whatnot, but understood the purpose was of relieving a pain I didn't quite understand in my youth.  What I did understand was that this land called America was stolen from people that once lived in peace and that millions, women and children included, were massacred in cold blood in the process.

Massacre of Christian Indians on March 8th 1782

After spending a night praying and preparing for the end, the Moravian Lenape were systematically butchered on the morning of March 8† with mallet blows and scalpings. Depending on your source, there were either 90 or 96 scalps to take that morning – women, men, and children in nearly equal proportions. At least one young boy survived the death squad and reported the massacre. Nor were all the militia themselves at peace with their deed. -executedtoday.com

     Just because we have it so good here in the good ol U.S. of A does not mean that we should forget the sacrifices made that got us here, that got us living somewhat comfortably, without hearing mortar shells falling on schoolyards and hospitals, without the fear of boarding a Trolley, BART, Train, or Bus without threat of suicide bomber, or the desperation in the voice from a parent carrying their dead child they just pulled from rubble. That was one long ass sentence huh?  Is it wrong to remind our friends, family... our own children of the truth that millions died so that we might have the slightest taste of what freedom is?   I say No!  Is it a "Buzz Kill" to call Thanksgiving, National Native American Day of Mourning?  No!  Why?  Because it is simply the truth and the truth can't hurt too bad now can it, as I'm told it will set us free!

     So am I thankful for the cake pops my niece made for her first time, or the progress a new shy boxer puppy has made with a bunch of goofy kids, or did I forget about the macaroni and cheese from scratch and the version with goat cheese and sheep's milk for those lactose intolerant and aw man, the bread pudding that you didn't know was actually made from bread, heck yea I am! But I'd be an ignorant fool to forget the sacrifices made that I know of and not say something, something to stick to the ribs like good home cookin and wisdom is supposed to do.

    This is my Happy Thanksgiving family & friends and Native American Week of Mourning.  Enjoy family, for we never know when they might be called. Never judge, for you never know when you might be judged. Pray you have the compassion and strength to give to others even when you find yourself in a difficult place yourself.  For the Pequot, Wampanoag, the Cherokee, the Sioux, Nez Perce, Moravian Lenape and countless other first nations that loved this land before us, and for all living descendants, the fight and struggle against Greed, Intolerance and Oppression continues... Fight On!

P.S. Waste Not.  Donate, give to the needy and make bomb ass Thanksgiving sandwiches with those leftovers!

Persistence, Patience, Prosperity, Purpose, & Inner-Peace

~Ku the Conduit