Written by Online therapist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, Ph.D.

Gratitude, History, and the Power of Persistence. Thanks!

Thanks is more than a word, it’s a legacy. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores the roots of Thanksgiving, the influence of quiet heroes, and the enduring impact of gratitude in relationships and community.

Thanks is such a simple word. Today, we celebrate a group of people who were truly thankful to have survived. In 1621, a small group of English settlers came together in their new land to express gratitude for survival and to share that gratitude with the Wampanoag people who had helped them. The event between these two groups lasted for three days. In a way, we continue the tradition with Thanksgiving on Thursday and relatives staying until Saturday or Sunday.

The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag ate together, danced, and celebrated the harvest and the survival of the Plymouth colony. Without the help of the Wampanoag, the settlers might not have made it through that first year. They were taught how to cultivate native crops such as corn and squash, and how to fish and hunt in the region.

It is interesting that turkey became the centerpiece of the modern Thanksgiving table, since there is no clear evidence it was served in 1621. They likely ate venison, wild fowl, and fish, but probably not cranberries as we know them today. The Wampanoag were skilled teachers of horticulture, hunting, and survival, and their knowledge made all the difference for the newcomers.

Without the persistence of one woman, we might not have this national holiday at all. Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor in the mid-19th century, spent decades campaigning for a national day of thanksgiving. She was the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, one of the most widely read magazines of its time, with over 150,000 subscribers. It amazes me that the dedication of one determined person could shape a tradition that still endures generations later.

Who is helping you? Take time to thank them in writing. Notes and letters carry meaning far beyond the day they are written.

In what way will you persist to create a change that lasts long after you are gone? Who or what are you influencing? As you sit around the table, enjoying the food and the people, make a plan to have influence and make a difference.

Want to explore how gratitude shapes emotional health and community connection? Visit Psychology Today’s article on the science of gratitude and Greater Good’s definition and research on gratitude.

If you’re reflecting on legacy, emotional connection, or relational growth, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support clarity, purpose, and emotional depth.