Yes, it turns out that the Hebrew word for “turkey” and the Hebrew word for “praise”, are in fact, one and the same. Hodu. As in, “Hodu L’Adonai Ki Tov”, (Praise Adonai, because it is good) or as in, “Tov le’HODOT” (It is good to give thanks to Adonai) as in, “Tavi Et Ha’Hodu” (‘Pass the turkey.’) I didn’t make this up, and I always find it amusing that the holiday whose central theme has Hodu in the title, also has Hodu as the central dish. So whether you eat the real thing or a Tofurkey, whether you like your cranberries from a can or prepared fresh (both acceptable), and whether your pie chose is Pumpkin, Apple or Peacan (all acceptable provided “Cool Whip” or some other whipped topping is available) the essential aspect of this day is of course, the shopping.
Just kidding. We know what it’s about and while there is never a wrong time to offer it, over the next several days my hope is we all find a space to reflect, offer gratitude and find connection with family and friends.
And what better way to be together than to share in a song or two!
To that end, I’ve included a new song by a super, supergroup of women who go by the name, “The Highwomen”. I heard this tune on XPN yesterday morning and immediately was singing along and thinking, “Perfect, perfect, Thanksgiving song.”
You can hold my hand
When you need to let go
I can be your mountain
When you’re feeling valley-low
I can be your streetlight
Showing you the way home
You can hold my hand
When you need to let go I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done If we want a garden
We’re gonna have to sow the seed
Plant a little happiness
Let the roots run deep
If it’s love that we give
Then it’s love that we reap
If we want a garden
We’re gonna have to sow the seed Yeah I want a house with a crowded table
And a place by the fire for everyone
Let us take on the world while we’re young and able
And bring us back together when the day is done The door is always open
Your picture’s on my wall
Everyone’s a little broken
And everyone belongs
Yeah, everyone belongs
I’ve also included a just created Thanksgiving Themed Spotify Playlist with songs about coming home, traveling, and littering near a famous restaurant.
Safe Travels, happy preparing, eating and cleaning the table of the said meal, happy binge-watching, movie-going, Black Friday shopping (live or on-line) and most of all, happy together-ing.
Hodu!
