Yeah, yeah. It’s been done. A lot.
It’s totally unoriginal.
Everyone writes about what they are thankful for on Thanksgiving.
Bandwagon? Consider me on it.
Being thankful every day is actually something I work at. Every morning, before I get out of bed, I say thanks for something. Usually it’s easy. Sometimes it isn’t. Sometimes I might only be thankful for having a new tube of toothpaste, but there is always something.
It’s pretty easy to be thankful most days. It’s easier still on the last Thursday in November at my Ma’s house. In my family, Thanksgiving is about three things: family, football and feasting. This seems to be a theme with my friends and family throughout the Fall, actually. Thanksgiving in my family is a little like an indoor tailgater with less booze and more elaborate food.
Since most of us work or have worked in health care, sometimes Thanksgiving has to be moved to a different day. That means the football game might not be the traditional Detroit or Dallas game. We stick pretty strictly to tradition aside from observing the actual day of the holiday.
Always turkey, stuffing (cooked inside the turkey), mashed potatoes and a salad. Sometimes maybe some green beans. Pumpkin pie.
This year we were all a little sad that due to work schedules we ate dinner at dinner time. This meant that we did not get to have the traditional turkey sandwiches. Maybe for Christmas.
We try to work it out so we eat between games so we can sit at the table together like civilized people, but if there is a game on and it’s close? Well, in that case we eat in the living room so we can see the game. This is what happens when the matriarch is as much of a football fiend as the men in the family.
It is a low key day. I’m not much of an NFL fan, so I have been known to read while we wait for dinner. My family is used to it. I only get a little flak about it. Mostly I pay attention.
We’re a small family, so it is a quiet day. It is not the most exciting day of the year, and that is perfect.
So, what am I thankful for?
Family, friends, food, football, pie, books, turkey, water, the automobile.
Family and friends. Saying it again because I really mean it. All the people who make my life a happy one.
And you know? A turkey does make a handsome dinner.
And if you are having pie, it should be pie made by my Ma.
Hope your Thanksgiving was just the way you like it.
