Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving.

Taught to most of us as a time when the Pilgrams sat with the Indians, now known as Native Americans, and celebrated the bounties of the land and the ability to feast as a means to make civility.

Most likely, the things that we all know as "traditional Thanksgiving bounty" in no way resemble what our ancestral foragers enjoyed on that first Thanksgiving, but it is the spirit of the tradition that we carry on. 

Regardless of the history of the first Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving has taken on its own identity.

Thanksgiving in the simplest of terms, is about family.  Period.  End of story.  Family. 

Think about it.  Who cares what kind of wild game was available, back then, and why would we, at this day and age, hunt for venison, when we could buy turkeys wrapped under plastic at our local Wegmans.  Well, I do think that I know some idealists that would, but the majority of Americans are not.  And that's OK. 

When I think of Thanksgiving, here are the things that I hold dear to my heart. 

My mom saying, "It takes all day to cook, but only a couple minutes to eat."
.......because she says that EVERY year.   (I love you for this, mom.)
My brother having to "excuse" himself to the bathroom right in the middle of dinner.
My son not having been taught his "proper manners" to accompany the dinner meal. 
But more than that..

The Turkey that is Mom's Turkey
The Stuffing that is Mom's Stuffing
The Mashed Potatoes that are Mom's mashed potatoes
The Cranberry Sauce that is from that damn can, that leaves the ridges in the side, that IS the Cranberry Sauce......who eats that anyway?  Seriously, what resembled this at the original feast and can I make it better?
Maybe my brother "accidentally" blowing his nose and a corn kernal coming out. 

These are the realities that are Thanksgiving, that we have carried on from the ideals that started the tradition. 

My Thanksgiving is about family, as annoying as they may be they are mine, and I love them, and they love me.  Family forgives those annoying little things that make you, you, and they accept you for that.  Because no one on the planet is more accepting of you as a person, as those wacky, crazy, good-for-nothings that you call family.

Here is to my family.  I love you all.  You are who made me who I am today!  And I love you!!

I would also like to thank all of those brave souls that are giving up their Thanksgiving to fight for the freedoms that most take for granted.  I don't know most of you, but I would like to say thank you for your courage and your sacrifice, for without you I would not be free.  You are the true Heros of Thanksgiving and the entire year.

Thank You and Happy Thanksgiving!!