Families logo

THANKSGIVING

Holiday

By Debra BernatovichPublished 3 years ago 7 min read
Like
THANKSGIVING
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

What do we think when we come up to one of the most important holidays? The holiday that we learned about from the Native Americans. They taught us how to plant, hunt, and survive in the cold winters of the North.

Many of us just think of it as a time for Macy Day Parade which used to kick of the count down to CHRISTMAS, others gather to watch the big game on television (used to be the Washington Redskins vs the Dallas Cowboys). Then others gather together as families and extended families that they don’t get to see but once maybe twice a year, some people go and volunteer at a homeless shelter serving meals to the homeless.

I can remember many of Thanksgiving where the adults sat at the main dining room table and the kids sat at the kids table. After dinner we would pass a hat around with everyone’s name and we would each pick a name and that was the person we would get a gift for, well that was supposed to be how it worked, but presents ended up being given to everyone, but it was a tradition even though it never went according to plan, but I guess it was fun anyway. After the dishes were done the men would go sit in the family room and turn on the game as a fire was blazing in the fireplace, and the women usually would go in the living room and sit and talk, while the kids would either go outside and play or go play in the basement, and watch some movie on the television. The most common movie would be Miracle on 34 th Street followed by It A Wonderful Life, to,great classics. About an hour or so after the football game started, you could glance into the family room and the men would be a sleep, they say it’s the turkey that made them fall a sleep, and the women would still be chatting away with a glass of wine or maybe an after dinner drink.

Then a few hours later someone will say they are hungr, and the favorite saying would be heard, go get it yourself, the paper plates are in the cabinet, know you might be thinking why paper plates? That is simple because the good China was already used for the main meal, and leftovers get the paper plates, but you have to know I figured it out and it was because none wanted to wash dishes again. In reality as I started getting up in age I was one of the designated person to do the dishes, the ones that did not fit in the dishwasher, and the ones that were not allowed to go in the dishwasher.

I can remember some Thanksgivings we would go,to my Grandmas house, and then to my Aunt and Uncle’s house. Then it would be so cold and other times it would be snowing, but the best thing about Thanksgiving is that we were with family.

Now, I have my own family and extended family. We still do the traditional turkey, but then I proceed to,cook a ham, make homemade mash potatoes, stuffing, gravy, at least two chocolate pies, an Oreo pie, apple pie, along with other request from our extended family members

Not only do I get up early to start cooking, but I also clean up after dinner. As the years go by the meals seem to get bigger and bigger, maybe because I have an open door policy to my kids friends, and then others work and they stop by to grab a quick bite. Because things have changed so much that you have major sales on Thanksgiving they call it Black Thursday, instead of Black Friday, more people are just eating and running out the door to get the best deals instead of spending one of the most important holidays with there families and being thankful for what they have.

It seems like holidays have just became another day, but with more food. So, many people don’t seem to be thankful for anything where as others do. Traditions seem to have gone out the door. Individuals ordering there full turkey dinners from grocery stores, buying frozen pies, where’s the joy in all that. Where is teaching your children how to cook the traditional turkey and all the fixings, and the best part making homemade deserts.

Now we are in the year 2020, a Thanksgiving that many family members will not be with other family members, Why you might be saying? The reason being is that we are dealing with a deadly virus. This virus is getting worse to the point that doctors and scientists pretty much have said that the spread is more common in smaller group gathering, such as family members that are planning on all coming together to celebrate Thanksgiving.

Unfortunately, many families will not be together in person, but there is always video chat, or Zoom in which you can connect and celebrate together even though you are far away.

I guess what people should be thankful this Thanksgiving is that they have not contracted the virus, and to those who have tested positive can be thankful that they are not in a hospital lying in an ICU bed frightening to stay alive, you can be thankful that you can still communicate with friends and family through video chat or text, or the old fashion way by telephone.Be thankful that you are not alone, like those in the hospital where families are not allowed to visit. Be thankful that you have not lost anyone to the virus, but pray to the ones that have lost a love one. Be thankful for all the doctors and nurses, police, first responders and all other essential workers out there frightening to help the sick, and the others making sure there is food on the shelves at the grocery stores, that there is hand sanitizer and yes Tolite paper available. Be thankful for our men and women who are presently serving in the military either overseas, on a aircraft carrier, submarine, and to all the Veterans who have served, and those who have retired after 20 years of service.

We need to pray for the ones that are sick and in the hospital, and to the ones that are at home in quarantine for fourteen days or longer. Need to think about others and not just yourself during these times.

I just want to say that I am thankful to my children who sometimes are over protective of me to make sure I don’t get infected, or get sick. I love my children so much and could not ask for anything more than the love I get from them and there friends. It is great to have such a great support from them and their friends that I wish other parents have the same loving and caring children that watch over you and protect you from contracting this deadly virus. I want to thank my two amazing grandchildren for keeping me happy, my six year old granddaughter who loves to sing and dance, she is just so fun to be with, and to my grandson who is three comes up to me and says I love you grandmama, and then kisses me, and then asks me to help him with his letters in the alphabet.

Finally, is the President going to keep with tradition and pardon Tom the Turkey? Or is poor Tom the Turkey going to be used as his Turkey dinner in the White House? We already know that the President will have all his family around, even though the virus is running rapid in the White House and with the protection details, but that will not stop the Presidents family from gathering on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, is a time to reflect on others, and to be thankful for what we have, and be thankful for being health, being thankful for life and great friends.

Reach out and leave a neighbor a card thanking them for being a good neighbor, or see if that neighbor needs anything especially if they are of older age or will be alone for this Thanksgiving. Send a plate of food over to them, remember to leave it on the front stoop, but ring the bell so they know it’s there.

Finally word, don’t eat to much, be safe, wear your masks. Protect yourself, and others. Masks are your protection from the virus, so please wear one.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

humanity
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.