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There are some 16 countries that celebrate a holiday dedicated to the giving of thanks,

most of them a harvest time celebration, in which it is customary to feast and count

one's blessings. I'm not sure what the dynamic of these holidays are in other countries,

such as Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea, to name a few who have similar

holidays.

But here in the United States, the holiday has become known for more than just

banqueting and thankfulness.

As a time when one gathers with family, because many a family may be dysfunctional, or

estranged in some way, or politically and ideologically divided,

it becomes a strained time in which we struggle to find common ground, forget old grievances,

and avoid the raising of divisive topics and hot-button issues in order to prevent all-out quarrels.

If this is not familiar or relatable to you, then congratulations. Your family is serene and perfect.

Or perhaps you have simply cut ties with the family members who might drive you nuts or push your buttons. As for the rest of us,

we're looking down the barrel of an especially contentious atmosphere in the wake of a hotly

contested presidential election, during which the nation has been riven and taken sides in not

only a culture war, but a struggle for the very soul of the country,

a struggle that seems lost right now to many of us, a defeat that some may seek to revel in,

especially the sorts who joke about drinking the tears of those with whom they disagree.

I think Thanksgiving in a presidential election year can always be more contentious,

but it feels like our division is worsening year on year.

And this is by design to some degree.

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