Gratitude and Chestnuts

I love Thanksgiving, not only because of the wealth of food to feast on, but growing up Jewish in a very non-Jewish neighborhood I finally found myself on equal footing.  Celebrating shoulder to shoulder with my neighborhood friends, we would compare the gastronomic delights awaiting us. For most there was turkey and stuffing. And for some the meal would not be complete without creamy mashed potatoes, a jiggly mold of Jello and pecan or pumpkin pie. My mother's chestnut stuffing was, for me, the culinary star of our table. On Thanksgiving eve a large pot of chestnuts boiled and bubbled on the stove. After making a gash on one end we would painstakingly free the sweet meat from it's tough outer shell in preparation for it's glorious destination.   Every third Thursday in the month of November, Americans share a common bond. Whatever your family tradition, this is a holiday that does not divide but unifies us, and isn't that a lot to be grateful for?