In fall of 1621, life in Plymouth colony was looking up. After a grueling winter and a difficult summer, the Pilgrims had a bountiful harvest to see them through the coming cold. So, when a party of hunters brought home enough wildfowl to feed the entire community for a week, it was time for an impromptu celebration.
They kicked off the festivities by firing gunshots into the air, much to the alarm of their allies in the neighboring Wampanoag tribes. Leader Massasoit Ousamequin brought a party of 90 warriors to investigate the disturbance. But when they found the Pilgrims feasting rather than preparing for battle, he sent out hunters to bring back five deer as a gift, and then joined in.
The early settlers didn’t have mashed potatoes and gravy, because potatoes hadn’t yet been cultivated in North America. They didn’t have pumpkin pie, because they had no butter, no wheat flour, and only a little maple sugar. What they did have – corn, green beans, and squash – they owed to the generosity of the Wampanoag, who had given them food to survive their first winter and taught them how to farm in their new home.
But to them, that harvest and the blessings it symbolized – friendship, hope, and freedom – were more than enough to be thankful for.
Today, the Thanksgiving holiday has grown, evolved, and become wrapped up in old traditions and new trappings alike. But the spontaneous nature of the first Thanksgiving is a reminder that the heart of the holiday is people. Whether you’re joining hands around the table to give thanks or gathering around the TV to cheer on the game, what matters most is sharing the simple joys of life with those we care about.
That’s a message that rings true here at The Mayflower, where – as you might expect from our namesake – the Thanksgiving story bears special significance. Ours is a community where people have the freedom to chart their own course for the future and the spirit to live life to the fullest.
Once again this year, on this very special holiday, we have a lot to be grateful for: a warm, welcoming atmosphere that brings people together … a safe, protective environment that provides genuine peace of mind … a caring, dedicated staff and friendly residents who make The Mayflower far more than a “place to live” – they make it “home.”
From our Mayflower family to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season – and we welcome you to get to know our community firsthand. Get in touch or give us a call at 407.672.1620 to plan your tour. We’d love to welcome you for a visit!