Poor, poor Thanksgiving. Tossed aside for the retail juggernaut that is Christmas. Nothing against Christmas, it is a fun time of year as well but could we just not pass by Thanksgiving like it is not the glorious food and family filled holiday that it is?
One can argue that Thanksgiving doesn’t create the stir in the retail marketplace the way that Christmas does. Unless you are a supermarket, bakery, restaurant, or gravy boat designer you might not be as motivated to decorate your place of business in the autumn-themed trappings that only Thanksgiving can bring. Does that qualify you to just pass it over like it never happened though? No, no, no.
So, here is my humble, yet passionate attempt to keep Thanksgiving in its rightful place at the holiday table. I would like to share a bit of family nostalgia that comes to mind whenever I see Santa in a shopping mall mid-November. And maybe, just maybe for one moment you too will remember not to forget Thanksgiving.
How We Did Thanksgiving
When I was a kid we always went to my grandparents’ house in the Ventura Keys on Thanksgiving. It was there that my mom, dad, sister and I collided with the rest of our extended brood. My mom, one of 7 children, at arrival would pull me alongside of her as she greeted each of my aunts, uncles, and multiplying cousins that filled the entire first level of that boat dock home. It was then that she kicked into full gear, leaving me in the company of my cousins and Pepsi on the rocks, entered the kitchen with her mom and sisters who then began to create another Thanksgiving masterpiece.
Food for Days
The house filled with relatives, the ovens warmed up and before I knew it you couldn’t see any portion of the kitchen counter now supporting platters heavy with mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and my mother’s signature Jello mold (commonly referred to in our family affectionately as ‘nuts and sh*t’). Dinner was served.
Everyone piled their plates high and then sat down at their appropriate tables. The main table in the dining room quickly filled with aunts and uncles, the rest of us children banished to the family room and entry way with our plates and glasses carefully balanced on wobbly card tables. The constant hum of conversation as the meal was prepared now gave way to a satisfied silence as we all engulfed ourselves.
The Magic Moments
It was when the meal was over that Thanksgiving really took shape. This was what made each year different and definitely memorable. The post-meal gabfest would go for hours, each family member taking their chance to entertain the well fed crows with the stories of the months prior and hilarity ensued. There were crescendos of room filling belly laughter and brief, thoughtful pauses for abdominal and cheek muscle relief allowing for just enough time for the next family jester to take the stand.
Many years the upstairs great room quickly converted into a discotheque where many-a-family-member got down with their bad selves. We may have just eaten turkey but we were dancing ‘Like a Pony’ just like Billy Idol told us to.
Then, almost in unison, everyone grabbed their plates brought them to the kitchen and started to mentally prepare themselves for the last challenge of the evening. Dessert. What better way to bring this sweet calamity of family, flavor, and full bellies but to contemplate the sheer will one must possess to eat more after the huge meal we just enjoyed. Thankfully, room in my stomach suddenly appeared and I was able to make a strong showing using my ‘one of each’ method I still use today.
Don’t Forget Thanksgiving
So when you are driving through the Collection, walking along in the Pacific View Mall already adorn with Christmas decorations before any turkey has been carved, remember your Thanksgiving moments and give Turkey Day the credit is deserves. A holiday we celebrate by eating, talking, and laughing not buying, competing, and regretting. Don’t get me wrong, I love Christmas, but it can wait until after I’ve had the chance to hear my wife’s laugh reverberate across Arroyo Verde Park, watch my daughter sell my mom on moving the dessert schedule up and battle my son for wishbone pulling supremacy. Until then retail world, Christmas is on hold.
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
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