Thanksgiving is my
favorite holiday because it’s centered on gratitude and the sharing of
traditional family food. There are no presents required, just presence.
Everything from the crackling fire, the swirling aroma of pumpkin, cinnamon,
nutmeg and apples, to the rush of setting the table with autumn colors and
candles feels more peaceful than other holidays, maybe because there is no
pressure to buy a gift—the gift is the gathering.
I've seen on the news that several big box stores are opening on Thanksgiving with doorbuster sales ahead of Black Friday! I find it sad that people will be pulled away from their family tables to work a register or stock shelves for throngs of deal seekers. Somehow, this elevates consumerism to an absurd new high. With a world twisting in turmoil, wars going on, people out of work, and many people struggling with disability, is it really necessary to focus on the next best wireless device or designer outfit? Is there not one day we can reflect on what we already have and find it sufficient? I plan to do that, and I'm glad to learn that many of my friends and family feel the same way.
I remember well how fortunate I felt the first Thanksgiving following Hugh's accident, and then how fortunate I felt to still have my parents with us, though gravely ill, for yet another year. As caregivers, Thanksgiving can truly be a day devoted to those family members who need us most, who rarely get out, and who often feel lonely. It is a sacred opportunity in this fast-paced world to enjoy a stretched out dinner and dessert with the people we love most. Some people may want to rush through their meal and stand in line for a big screen TV. I'll be relaxing at home. Pass the pumpkin pie!
