When did Thanksgiving become insignificant? Recently, I made a trip to a brick and mortar store. It happens sometimes. I can’t do all my shopping online, because lately, I’ve been super lazy about gift buying. I wait until last minute. While in the store, all the Christmas things were out and Christmas was playing while I shopped. I searched for Thanksgiving items, and found three, sad little kitchen dish towels. Really?
When did Thanksgiving become insignificant?
Listen, I don’t eat turkey. It’s my least favorite meat/poultry/meal. I’ll have a turkey sandwich with good ole Boar’s Head deli turkey, sliced super thin. But, put that giant bird in front of me, and I am quick to say no thanks. I’m a lover of all the sides on the table. Trust me, I eat well on Thanksgiving even without that turkey meat. However, long ago, I learned Thanksgiving wasn’t about the food we ate. It was about family. Thanksgiving was about being thankful. It was about slowing down, and enjoying time together around the dining room table dressed with a cloth table cloth.
Yes, a cloth table cloth, with mom’s wedding china, and the fancy utensils. It was a celebration. It was family. It was laughter, and the regaling of stories from my mom’s younger years with her crazy family, and friends. It was sitting with the adults, and learning about family from the old country. The ones who came to the United States in search of a different life. I won’t say a better life, but a different life. One that had the promise of prosperity, and freedom.
When did the Christmas Season start the day after Halloween?
When did Thanksgiving become insignificant? When did it become the forgotten holiday? Christmas isn’t supposed to be a thought in our minds until we watch Santa finish the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Why are we pushing life along so quickly? Thanksgiving is a holiday that has moved beyond the original religious undertones. It’s just about a country coming together, being grateful and thankful, for all that we have.
Sure, some of us call them blessings, but it doesn’t mean Thanksgiving is anything but a holiday that has some controversy. Native Americans, and Pilgrims, and things of that nature. But, it became more about remembering just how much we have to be thankful for. No matter what has happened in our lives, we all have at least one thing to be thankful for, don’t we? Hell, 2016 was a rough one for me, but I’m grateful for so much each day.
I understand the magic of the Christmas season. It’s magical for many of us, especially those of us who have kids who still believe in Santa. The lights, the shiny ornaments, and the decorations are fabulous. However, they can wait until the day after Thanksgiving, can’t they?
