Bypassing Thanksgiving Day…
I was surprised recently when I went into a gift store to buy a Thanksgiving Day card and found just one small section devoted to the holiday. The rest of the display was all Christmas cards. The same rush to the Christmas season was present in every store, from small shops to commercial box stores. As retail stores start their march toward Christmas right after Halloween, I fear we might be looking past Thanksgiving Day, and that would be a shame.
Thanksgiving Day for me is more than just turkey and football; it’s a time to give thanks for the people we care about, for our communities, and for all the blessings we have received. To me, it is as important a time of remembrance.
A time to remember as a boy playing checkers on a black and red checkerboard with my paternal grandfather while waiting for the rest of our guests to arrive. Hearing the boisterous, hearty laugh of my maternal grandfather as he came in through the kitchen door, with his toothless grin, arms held out for a big hug. The small five-room bungalow bursting at its seams with the smell of a turkey dinner with all the fixings, the sound of laughter, stories from the “olden days” (which now incidentally is how my children and grandchildren think of my past), and most importantly, a feeling of belonging to this large and affable clan.
As a husband and father it was important to me to carry on this tradition modifying it a bit to include watching the Macy’s Day Parade, the high school football game and on two separate occasions inviting the local fire department to participate as well – once when our mantle decorations caught on fire and the other when the smoke from our fireplace due to a clogged flue threatened to smoke us out.
As I reflect on this year’s Thanksgiving Day, I will remember all those past Thanksgivings with fondness and a bit of nostalgia, and look forward to making merry with my family. No, we will not be cooking the turkey again this year; we have opted to eat out. But having my family around me at this time of year to have a good meal, laugh heartily, share a story or two, and to give thanks to our Creator is well for me, the best reason of all for NOT passing by Thanksgiving Day, and with that I wish you all a very happy and joyous Thanksgiving Day!
