Thanksgiving. An American tradition. One that is supposed to make us consider what it is for which we are really thankful.
But, what I’ve seen is that this holiday usually involves hectic travel to a family member’s house. Driving among thousands (millions?) of other cars, averaging 4 mph. Or, flying (which means waiting in interminable “security” lines, being delayed, and then scurrying to find a taxi or rental car to get us to our final destination when we finally get to the “nearby” airport), hoping our luggage arrives at the same location and the same time as we do.
When I was married, I drove from Charlottesville to Long Island, to spend the holiday with my in-laws. This meant that I had the opportunity to be immersed in interminable traffic jams in and near Delaware. Where I learned to wish for the rights to drive a tank that could flatten these boors who passed me on the right (I was in the rightmost lane already- they used the breakdown lane to pass everyone.) Hoping that my in-laws really did check the rules and would prepare food that I was able to eat. (They were not kosher-abiding folks, in general.)
In other words- there was nothing about this holiday that involved me feeling thankful.
But, now, my children still visit their mom on Thanksgiving. And, I get to see them on the day before or day after (depending upon their travel schedule- and the traffic [jams] described above. When we have the moments to just sit back and I make sure they know that I am more than thankful that they are the mature, intelligent, and happy folks they are. And, that we have yet another year when we can share each other’s company.
For what are you thankful?
I am thankful I still have my mom and Grammy. I’m thankful I’m going to sit in my sweat pants and paint today. I am thankful I had a bigger family at one point and have the memories I have of them. I am thankful for friends like you, Roy. I am thankful for the G-d given heart, and talents I have. I am thankful that I am blessed not by everything I want, but everything I need.
Sending love to you and yours, Dr. A.
Lisa Brandel recently posted..Tortured Throne by Lisa Brandel
Me, too, Lisa…. Because having what we need and not all that we wnat gives us ambition to create more to get those other things…
I don’t know that I’ve ever travelled during a major holiday, except to drive to the beach or something. I avoid traveling and flying when the roads are packed like the plague because I know I’d be such a mess that I wouldn’t be able to spend or enjoy time with anyone. Today we are travelling -4 miles down the road to the in-law’s house. In this small town there will be almost no traffic. As usual, I will tell them I’m thankful for indoor plumbing, and they’ll look at me weird. But hey, it’s the truth. 🙂
Amethyst Mahoney recently posted..Tarot Aid
I never would have believed I would travel again on T-day, Amethyst… But, yesterday, I left Virginia at dawn to get to the New York area – only to find that the PATH lied about service to New York City. And, had to pay for parking for 5 minutes ( $ 4), drive to yet another city, take the “tubes” to Manhattan, wander around seeing the city (having been gone for some 40 years), have a hotel (the Hyatt Regency- there’ll be a post on this) STEAL my credit card, see my son (the reason for the trip)- who was in NYC for the NIT Basketball tournament at Madison Square Garden for a wonderful Indian dinner, take the tubes back and drive home to Virginia by 1:10 AM. Oh, and I contributed to the economy!
Happy Turkey Day— and let’s hear it for Sir Thomas Crapper! Having had to develop more than a few innovative commodes, I developed a health respect for this inventor!!!!
I love the concept of Thanksgiving. It is a shame if it becomes stressful though and the purpose is lost. Today I am Thankful for the ability to connect with old friends so easily all over the world 🙂
Kama recently posted..Comment on Why do I keep bombarding you with posts about grey hair by Kama
Sounds great, Kama. Thanks for being among mine!
For a long time my sister Anica and I have been alone for Thanksgiving. My daughter spends all holidays with her father so he won’t be totally alone. We either went to Luby’s, ate frozen food or I tried cooking for just the two of us. I messed up the turkey so bad that I have never lived it down.
But yesterday we were invited to share with a family that was just the 6 of them and us. It was heavenly. Being a part of a family if only for one meal was a blessing for us.
I’m glad you and you children have worked out a compromise and I hope you aren’t having Thanksgiving alone.
Ann Mullen recently posted..What is In Home Care?
Glad you had a wonderful holiday, Ann. You and your sister deserve a break today- much better than McDonald’s, too!
Good Luck beating the traffic. I am thankful that I get to be thankful year round! 🙂 And this end we don’t have thanksgiving as a celebration, so no holidays! So, lesser traffic! But we have the National Day weekend coming soon… so that will be our busy traffic week!
Hajra recently posted..Idealist or Pragmatist: Can a Blogger Be Both?
I did manage to beat most of the traffic, Hajra!!! And, got to spend time with my son, to boot! With a bonus visit from my brother and his two sons (my nephews)…. Wow!
Happy National Day…