The Simpleness of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. There are no presents to buy. No hours of decorating outside and inside, except maybe hanging a paper turkey on the window. It is not a big money maker holiday, just the local supermarket takes in additional funds. It is a celebration around a large meal. What can be better than that!

I remember watching the parade on television as a child while the aroma of the turkey filled the Brooklyn apartment that I grew up in. Those were the days! Mom was busy in the kitchen preparing the family feast and I was busy in the living room watching the large floats on the small black and white television screen. I left the couch when it was time for dinner and then went back to it after my stomach was full. I liked when we were home for Thanksgiving because I enjoyed the next day left overs almost as much as the first day feast. But when we were out at one of the relatives' homes, there were no leftovers. Since everyone has their own specialties, I sometimes was introduced to "different" stuffings and seasonings on the Turkey. All good in taste but I did prefer my mom's "raisins only" stuffing and butter basted turkey.

Those carefree days are long gone because now I prepare the turkey dinner. I catch glimpses of the parade as I cook each of the side dishes. My children have the enjoyment of smelling the turkey roasting while relaxing on the couch. But that is alright with me because I truly enjoy preparing the feast. I must confess that I do get plenty of help from my husband and my daughter enjoys making one of the side dishes and a dessert. My son pops into the kitchen to pick on some of the food as it is being prepared so everyone does get involved in one way or another. My mom, now in her 90's, enjoys the dinner that I cooked and see her stuffing just as she remembers it.

Thanksgiving is sometimes the "forgotten" holiday. The stores are already decorated for Christmas and the only sign of Thanksgiving were the plates and napkins that I was able to find, tucked away in the corner of my local drug store. Thanksgiving is definitely overshadowed by Christmas. Commercials already are celebrating Black Friday as more important than the day before it.

So here, in this blog, I want to give Thanksgiving its due. It is a day to stop and certainly count our blessings, no matter how big or small we think they are. It is a day to spend with family and friends, no matter how many or few we have. It is a day to enjoy a good meal, a really good meal. Forget the calories and the diet for this one day. Savor all the delicious foods that we normally pass up. It is a day to take time to thank God for all that he has given us especially if we haven't taken time in a long time to say thanks. It is a simple holiday, easily overlooked in the material world but never to be forgotten in our hearts. Take a little time on Thanksgiving to be truly thankful for all the good in your life. It is a  day to push the problems aside and remember just the blessings. Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!