By Premier Hon. G. Wayne Panton, MP, JP

Mr. Speaker, 11 years ago an innocent child asked her parents what seemed a simple yet curious question; a question that brought a new tradition to the Cayman Islands.

Her query to her parents was did the Cayman Islands have a specific day to give thanks for our many blessings. At the time she attended an American-based school and was taught about United States thanksgiving held each November. So why not Cayman?

The answer her father gave her was no we didn’t. So then the question became why not. She kept asking so much that her parents eventually gathered local food and on a Sunday had a meal along with extended family, complete with stories of Cayman of old and music in the background. The discussion turned to the idea of creating real a Cayman Thanksgiving to promote our culture and heritage.

From 2010 we have celebrated Cayman Thanksgiving on the first Sunday after the end of November was because 30 November is the official close of the Atlantic Hurricane Season.

I am happy to have been part of the Government that in 2014 officially recognized the first Sunday in December as our annual Cayman Thanksgiving. The day is meant for a traditional Caymanian meal surrounded by family and friends.

We have been blessed beyond measure in the Cayman Islands this year. We had no major hurricanes and while Tropical Storm Grace left behind damage to our crops, our lives were spared. To show your thankfulness for a calm hurricane season, may I suggest that you donate your hurricane stocks of food and first aid supplies to someone who needs them or put them in Christmas collection bins or donate them to a food bank. 

The United Kingdom Government blessed us with free vaccines and test kits for COVID this year. You have heard me say it many times, if you have not been vaccinated and are able, please take the shot and if it is time for your booster, go get it.  

We have been blessed by caring and diligent healthcare workers who have helped guide us through the COVID pandemic. To all of you, I personally say thank you.

Each of us can give thanks that we woke up to celebrate another glorious day in these beautiful Islands.

Whether you worship the Lord on Saturday or Sunday, this weekend is a time for congregations to offer thanks and count your many blessings.

And it is also a good time to teach people from other countries about our traditions, our culture and our heritage. 

I urge everyone this weekend to take a minute or two and look around you, your home, your yard, the beach, the sea, your family and give thanks.

Saying thank you is the simplest form of expressing gratitude and the attitude of gratitude is what keeps us happy. When you express your thankfulness to others, it can make both of you feel better. It provides peace of mind and inner happiness.

As I close Mr. Speaker I will leave everyone with a quote from Roman statesman Cicero: “A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.”

On behalf of Government, my family and myself, I wish you a happy Cayman Thanksgiving.

And with that Mr. Speaker, I say thank you.