composed by Dennis Ming Nichols


Letter to the Boss: Thanksgiving Day "Work from Home"

Dear Laoban,

Thursday, November 25th is Thanksgiving Day, a very special holiday for Americans. Even though I am (insert nationality), Thanksgiving still represents a time of gathering among friends and families and celebrating what's important, the food in our bellies and the people we share it with. As you may not celebrate this holiday in your Glorious Nation, you might be unaware of its importance thus not understanding why granting my request to "work from home" a significant gift. Please, allow me to share the history of this important holiday.

In 1620, some religious separatists ("The Pilgrims") left England in search for new land and religious freedom. They found themselves in present-day Massachusetts where they set up a town called Plymouth. However due to lack of experience with the foreign soil and a bad growing season, they spent the first year in hardship and malnourishment. But one day, a friendly native named Squanto approached the new settlers with the intention of assisting them in their time of trouble. Now Squanto was a chill dude. Earlier in his life, he had been captured by a British fleet and sold into slavery. He eventually escaped and made his way back to his native land while learning English on the way. Rather than give a big "Screw You" to the new British settlers, he decided to help them learn how to grow certain vegetables, fish and hunt indigenous game. The following harvest season (around this time 400 years ago), the British settlers along with some Natives shared a huge feast together. This is now known as the First Thanksgiving.

Years later Squanto would be poisoned by his own tribe, while the Pilgrims would move on to witch-burning and stifling creativity, but at least in that moment, something beautiful happened. Man helped man in time of need. When the world looks grim and sad, there is always something to be thankful for whether it is a friend, a family, memorable experiences, a roof over your head, a big, juicy turkey, or a feast of Cheap Chinese Food! Thanksgiving Day is a day to put away thoughts about what you DON'T have and appreciate what you DO have.

So, I would like to take next Thursday (cooking and eating) and Friday (Slingboxing American Football in a tryptophan comatose) off from work…with pay.

XieXie,

(insert name)

 


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