Thanksgiving day. 

A day of sacrifice and feasting.  The customary “victim” is the turkey.  The day is dedicated to a nationwide communal meal, families including invited guests, extended family members are together around a table for a meal of prepared turkey, side dishes which have passed the test of tradition.  The elements are common, even with cultural variation. The theme is giving thanks.  How human, a simple-themed holiday for a society that celebrates greed, relentless competition, the idea that one never has “enough.”  Some of us have too much, and many of us manifestly do not have enough.  Analysis becomes complicated very quickly.  It’s a matter of judgment after all.  No one of us has the “eye-of-god” to make the call, how much is enough?  What is too much and what is not enough?  Nevertheless we ought always to consider…

Sacrifice.  The cornerstone of life is sacrifice.  Death and life in relationship.  For Americans today, the turkey is the centerpiece.  A communal feast, roast turkey the centerpiece, instituted to commemorate, to cultivate community.  Those closest to us gather for feasting and reflection.  Not so different from our ancestors, who sacrificed to the spirits, the pantheon of local gods, and then settled around to enjoy a meal of roasted meat.  An animal (or animals) must give a life, a basic calculus, to sustain the life of the community.  We give, in order to get…

So it has always been.  That has not changed.

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A song, what tune do you suggest for today?   I like this one.  There may be no connection between the music and what I have written.  Often there is — but not always.  Sometimes I just like the song.

This features a haunting melody, references to fate, to mother and son relationship, to the hazard of sex, to purity and defilement…  Mother by Pink Floyd.

It is fabulous to be human!

Mother

By Pink Floyd

Mother, do you think they’ll drop the bomb?
Mother, do you think they’ll like this song?
Mother, do you think they’ll try to break my balls?
Ooh, aah, mother, should I build the wall?

Mother, should I run for president?
Mother, should I trust the government?
Mother, will they put me in the firing line?
Ooh, aah, is it just a waste of time?

Hush now, baby, baby, don’t you cry
Mama’s gonna make all of your nightmares come true
Mama’s gonna put all of her fears into you
Mama’s gonna keep you right here under her wing
She won’t let you fly but she might let you sing
Mama’s gonna keep baby cozy and warm

Ooh, babe, ooh, babe, ooh, babe
Of course mama’s gonna help build the wall

Mother, do you think she’s good enough for me?
Mother, do you think she’s dangerous to me?
Mother, will she tear your little boy apart?
Ooh, aah, mother, will she break my heart?

Hush now, baby, baby, don’t you cry
Mama’s gonna check out all your girlfriends for you
Mama won’t let anyone dirty get through
Mama’s gonna wait up ’til you get in
Mama will always find out where you’ve been
Mamma’s gonna keep baby healthy and clean

Ooh, babe, ooh, babe, ooh, babe
You’ll always be a baby to me

Mother, did it need to be so high?

Composed by Roger Waters