Five kernels of corn
A Thanksgiving Story
After turning back twice because the Speedwell, the sister ship traveling with the Mayflower was taking on water, the Pilgrims finally got underway in September 1620. Already on the boat for 6 weeks and adding passengers from the Speedwell, 102 souls spent the next 66 days in a space 58’ X 24’ feet at its widest, approximately 1200 sq. ft. At times the sea was so rough all they could do was drift. Below deck the hatches often had to remain closed. There was no privacy, little fresh air, continual sickness and nausea due to the turbulent sea, low ceilings, dim lighting, simple and sparse provisions, harassment from the crew, and a stench from bodily fluids making the air almost unbreathable, all leading to a astounding level of discomfort and duress. It was in early November that Cape Cod was sighted and after some searching it was agreed upon as the landing site. It was not until late December that they established the location for the building of a settlement, a strange people in a strange land. Quickly shelter had to be built, a protection from the harsh winter conditions that buffeted them at all times. Gnawing cold and dampness, scant provisions, bodies so depleted from exertion and exhaustion, locked in a life and death struggle, the Pilgrims started dying. Almost half of the original company died, thirteen out of eighteen wife’s, mothers, the givers and nurturers of life, with only three families left unbroken, the sickness and weakness leaving at its worst only five people to attend the rest. But they were not like other men. The harder the adversity, the harder they prayed not giving in to despair, “the mill of God grinding slowly, but exceedingly fine.” They were committed to the vision of a new promise land, to each other, and to God above all. Then they entered into their own starving time in the winter of 1621-22 with extra people to feed and shelter. They were ultimately reduced to a daily ration of five kernels of corn a day. It is hard to believe how anyone could live with so little, with continuous gut wrenching hunger. They had a choice. Either give in or go deeper. They chose the high way, believed and received. In contrast to Jamestown, not one of them died of starvation.
Their first Thanksgiving was a great celebration shared with their friend Squanto and ninety Wampanoag. The Pilgrims resiliency, graciousness, humility and faith had survived. The second Thanksgiving was jubilant and festive too with even more Indians. So much food and fun. And on their plates the first course served was five kernels of corn…………. lest anyone should forget.
Thanksgiving at our house is adorned with a beautiful table, abundant food, family and friends, and five kernels of corn on each plate honoring the memory of those who went before us and sacrificed so much. They were faithful unto death, beautiful in the midst of the fire. We will not forget…..
P.S. This is a simple condensed narrative of events from letters, memoirs and diaries of those who were there. Their story and all that they experienced cannot be contained in books alone, but must be written upon our hearts.