yesterday was thanksgiving day in the u.s. and it was the last time i am partaking in the day.
from now on thanksgiving day is just like any other day to me because its true meaning has
been lost.
we spend hours preparing turkeys and stuffing, mashed potatoes and squash, cranberry
sauce, pumpkin pie, and the rest of the laundry list of traditional thanksgiving day delights.
families travel long distances to be together for the day. for some its the only day of the year
people spend reunited with family members and buddies they grew up with who have also
come back to the old neighborhood for the day. we watch the traditional macy's day parade on
television as huge floats and balloons head down broadway while we hear commentators tell
us how wonderful it all is. we hear the story about pilgrims from europe breaking bread with
native americans. in fact thanksgiving is the only day of the year you can count on hearing
"corn" referred to as "maize". after thanksgiving it goes back to being corn for the next 364
days.
the weather is usually crisp but not cold...perfect for a family walk after a huge meal and at
least if you live somewhat in the north the foliage is still big sweeping brush strokes of brilliant
reds, yellows, and oranges.
but the true spirit has been sucked out of thanksgiving, leaving only meaningless rituals and
here's why. those were the 3 worst thanksgiving day football games i've ever seen. you know
it's bad when families, sitting closely and cosily around the tube in excited anticipation of
opening kickoff, start to drift off by halftime and talk to each other about what's been going on
in their lives since they last saw each other a year ago, or how especially good the stuffing
was this year. you know the game's completely bollixed when you don't even bother asking
your sister to please wait for a commercial break as she tries telling you she's pregnant and
engaged to be married.
well there you have it.