It is that time of year when colourful leaves begin to fall, temperatures drop away and pumpkin spice once more permeates our daily existence. Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin spice muffins, pumpkin spice candles – this spice is everywhere! I was somewhat expecting that the unleaded fuel I put in my car might also afford a hint of pumpkin spice. The world of consumerism is yet again influencing my seasonal affective buying habits by perfuming my forays for food with said spice.
Don’t get me wrong, I like pumpkin. I enjoy pie and soup made from those orange gourds of goodness. I like carving them for Halloween. They are one of the iconic symbols that says “Autumn is here.” But the overkill infusion of pumpkin spice into products where pumpkin spice really has no place being, is ruining this time of year for me.
I do not need pumpkin spice to inform me that it is the season of Thanksgiving. Skeins of geese transiting south, shorter periods of daylight, and a light glaze of morning frost on my windshield are perfectly good reminders that it is October. Why do we have to have these wonderfully natural clues of seasonal change be subverted by the commercialism of an infusion of pumpkin spice in my coffee or chocolate bar? Is nothing sacred? What’s next – pumpkin spiced perogies?
I have so many things to be thankful for but I am growing increasingly certain that pumpkin spice is not one of them. All kidding aside, we are at that important time of year when we pause, take stock and reflect in thankful contemplation upon the many blessings in our lives. As Canadians, Albertans, and citizens of St. Albert, we truly have much occasion to be thankful.
We are blessed to have access to water, food, fuel, shelter, and the necessities of life. We are blessed with rich opportunities to speak freely, vote in democratic processes, work, travel, and express our views and opinions. We are blessed with parks, recreational facilities, schools, hospitals and emergency response services. We are blessed with opportunity to help others who are in need and to give back to our community through an array of service clubs, groups, and organizations. We are simply, blessed.
Thanksgiving is a time for everyone, regardless of background or belief, to express gratitude for the things in life that sometimes get taken for granted. Thanksgiving is a time to say thank you to that special someone who has been kind to you in the past. It is a time to honour the greater good through humble actions, reciprocity of kindness, and generously sharing from our abundance.
I am thankful that we celebrate Thanksgiving in October. It is a great part of our Canadian heritage. Our neighbours to the south celebrate their Thanksgiving in November; the month when they will also vote for a president. So while we sip our left-over pumpkin spiced tea, we can watch the abundant feast of all things turkey that is the U.S. presidential election and be thankful we live in Canada!
Tim Cusack is an educator, writer, and member of the naval reserve.
