Thanksgiving and its Meaning for Scam Victims

The Thanksgiving Holiday is Often Difficult for Scams Victims but this Day Has Special Meaning and Should be Embraced

Primary Category: Scam Victims Support & Recovery

Author:
•  Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
•  Debby Montgomery Johnson – Businesswoman, President and CEO of BenfoComplete.com, Online Fraud Survivors Advocate, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Host Stand Up & Speak Up and Opening Dialogue for Civility, Military Veteran, and Chairwoman of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Thanksgiving, while traditionally a time for gratitude and togetherness, can have a profound and unique meaning for scam victims recovering from trauma. For these individuals, the holiday offers an opportunity to reflect on their resilience, acknowledge their journey of healing, and find moments of personal growth amid adversity. It’s a time to honor the progress made, reclaim gratitude for the support and lessons gained, and celebrate the strength it takes to rebuild after betrayal.

Thanksgiving can also serve as a reminder to let go of self-blame and focus on self-care. Victims can use the day to connect with supportive networks, appreciate small blessings, and reframe their narrative from one of loss to one of resilience and renewal. By embracing mixed emotions and allowing space for reflection, victims can find peace and hope for the future. Ultimately, Thanksgiving is not just about looking back on hardships but about celebrating survival, fostering community, and finding empowerment in the promise of new beginnings.

The Thanksgiving Holiday is Often Difficult for Scams Victims but this Day Has Special Meaning and Should be Embraced

For scam victims who have experienced trauma, Thanksgiving can hold a deeper and more nuanced meaning. While the holiday traditionally focuses on gratitude and togetherness, for victims, it can also serve as an opportunity to reflect on resilience, healing, and personal growth after a difficult experience.

About Thanksgiving

Not all scam victims live in the United States, but it is still important to understand this holiday. Even if you do not live in the U.S., we hope that you can use the holiday season to enjoy the benefits it brings.

Remember, Thanksgiving is not just about stuffing yourself with turkey, it is about giving thanks for what you have. Even in the face of loss, if you are still alive there is hope! – Tim McGuinness, Ph.D., Managing Director, SCARS Institute

I want to extend heartfelt acknowledgment for the strength and courage it takes to rebuild after such a betrayal. It’s a testament to your resilience and capacity for hope, even in the face of adversity. While this journey may feel isolating at times, remember that you are not alone. There is a community that stands with you, offering support, understanding, and compassion. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the aspects of life that empower us to move forward, whether it’s the love of friends and family, the lessons learned, or the promise of new beginnings. Take this moment to celebrate yourself—your bravery, your perseverance, and the progress you’ve made. You are more than your experience; you are a beacon of hope for others who may walk a similar path. May this season bring you peace, comfort, and renewed strength. You are valued, worthy, and deserving of every happiness. – Debby Montgomery Johnson, Chairwoman, SCARS Institute

Thanksgiving in the United States is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Its origins and meaning are deeply rooted in gratitude, community, and history.

Historical Origins

The holiday traces back to 1621: when early Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony (in present-day Massachusetts) held a harvest feast to celebrate their first successful crop. They shared the meal with the Wampanoag Native American people, who had helped them learn local agricultural practices. This event is often considered one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations, though it was not initially an annual tradition.

The modern Thanksgiving holiday was established much later: In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to foster unity and gratitude across the country. Congress officially set the date as the fourth Thursday in November in 1941.

Meaning of Thanksgiving Today

Gratitude: Thanksgiving is centered on expressing gratitude for the blessings of the past year, including family, health, and abundance. Many families share what they are thankful for during the holiday meal.

Family and Togetherness: It is a time for families and friends to gather, often traveling long distances to reconnect. Thanksgiving is among the most traveled holidays in the U.S., reflecting its significance as a time of reunion.

Tradition and Food: The holiday is marked by a large feast, typically featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. These foods reflect both the colonial and agricultural origins of the holiday. Parades (like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) and football games are also longstanding Thanksgiving traditions.

Reflection and Generosity: Thanksgiving inspires acts of kindness and community service, such as donating to food banks or volunteering to serve meals to those in need.

Thanksgiving’s Broader Meaning

Thanksgiving has evolved to symbolize gratitude, community, and the acknowledgment of shared experiences. It is a holiday that encourages both reflection on history and the celebration of present blessings, making it one of the most cherished American traditions.

What Thanksgiving Is for Scam Victims

A Time for Acknowledgment: Thanksgiving can be a moment to acknowledge the pain and challenges of being scammed, validate the emotional toll, and recognize the strength it takes to survive and begin healing. It is not about ignoring the trauma but creating space to honor the progress made toward recovery.

Reclaiming Gratitude: Gratitude after trauma might not come easily, but it can start with small, meaningful acknowledgments—thankfulness for supportive loved ones, lessons learned, or even the courage to move forward. It’s about shifting focus from what was lost to what still exists and what has been gained in resilience and insight.

A Pause for Self-Care: Scam victims often carry shame, guilt, or self-blame. Thanksgiving can be a reminder to treat oneself with kindness and care, recognizing that survival and recovery are achievements worth celebrating.

What Thanksgiving Should Mean for Scam Victims

A Celebration of Resilience: Thanksgiving can symbolize strength and perseverance. Despite the hardship, victims can celebrate their capacity to endure, adapt, and rebuild. It’s a time to focus on the future, knowing that life after a scam is still full of possibilities.

A Connection to Support Systems: Victims often feel isolated after a scam. Thanksgiving can be a chance to reconnect with family, friends, or support groups who provide encouragement and remind victims they are not alone.

A Day for Forgiving Yourself: Thanksgiving can be a symbolic day for letting go of self-blame. Victims can use it as an opportunity to reflect on their humanity, realizing that being deceived does not diminish their worth or intelligence.

A Time to Reframe the Narrative: Instead of focusing solely on loss, victims can think about what they have gained—such as awareness, strength, or the ability to help others avoid similar situations. Thanksgiving can be a turning point for reclaiming agency and rewriting the story of their experience.

How Scam Victims Can Approach Thanksgiving

Focus on Small Gratitudes: Start with simple things: health, a meal on the table, or even the presence of someone who cares. Gratitude doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful.

Embrace Support Networks: Share the day with people who uplift and support you. If in-person gatherings aren’t possible, consider connecting virtually or through supportive online communities.

Allow Space for Mixed Emotions: It’s okay to feel sadness or anger alongside gratitude. Thanksgiving isn’t about forcing happiness but about finding moments of peace and positivity amidst the pain.

Volunteer or Give Back: Helping others, even in small ways, can be empowering and healing. Victims might find solace in contributing to a cause they care about or supporting other scam survivors.

Thanksgiving as a Step Toward Healing

For scam victims, Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be about forgetting the past—it can be about honoring the journey of recovery. It’s an opportunity to shift focus from loss to renewal, to surround oneself with love and support, and to find gratitude in small but meaningful steps forward. Over time, it can become a symbol not just of endurance but of transformation and hope for the future.

Please Rate This Article

Please Leave Us Your Comment
Also, tell us of any topics we might have missed.

Thank you for your comment. You may receive an email to follow up. We never share your data with marketers.

-/ 30 /-

What do you think about this?
Please share your thoughts in a comment above!