Reflections From the Kitchen Sink on Thanksgiving
I get it. I really do. “Thanksgiving.” We focus on the things we are thankful for. I have to admit though the whole concept of the forced, though purposeful, gratitude wears me out. It is a bit hypocritical because so many folks smear over the day anyway. Think I may be a little turkey Scrooge? Let me explain.
In my lifetime, I really have seen a diminishing of what I think it true thankfulness. I know, I’m starting to sound like people I thought were old when I was a kid, but it appears the patterns are as true as they said.
It makes me sad to my core that my kids haven’t experienced Thanksgiving like I did. Things were slower. The celebrations were more purposeful. People weren’t so caught up in big sales. Conversations were real and meaningful. Oh, and the televised parade! I loved watching it with my mom. The marching bands and huge helium cartoon characters! Now, the rush of life and the push of self-importance are watering down all the good stuff, it think. So, yeah, bah humbug, gobble gobble.
We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count. Neal A Maxwell Click To TweetGranted, in my grieving the death of my husband, I’ve not been Martha Stewart and done the same decorating I used to do. I loved the season of harvest and have a couple totes of beautiful pumpkins, ceramic pilgrims, and such. The holidays aren’t just about the shift in decor though: there is a spirit about each. The commercialization of Christmas has pushed the celebration of Thanksgiving to the side. You might as well eat an Oscar Mayer pressed turkey sandwich since you’re going to go shopping anyway. Told you. Bah humbug.
Then there is the less than festive contortion of almost every social issue bringing many festive celebrations to a screeching halt with families dividing up for arguments instead of teams for backyard football. Americans seem to be just looking for a reason to engage in debates. Bah to the humbug, I’m telling you. Let’s have dinner, act nice and think good thoughts. Putting a hold on banter that has the potential to cause more strife than peace on a day focused on love and appreciation seems like the better option. A 24-hour non-argument clause would be dandy.
Last but not least, we have the social media frenzy to state our 30 days of gratitude. I did it a couple years ago, too. It was a warm fuzzy exercise; however, we could do that any month of the year. In the cranky old lady phase I’m in, I worry that people aren’t cognizant of simple reasons to just be happy and thankful. General provisions are huge blessings, and there really are silver linings in the clouds if we are willing to look for them. It appears with that soft statement that the last ghost has arrived and changed my attitude a bit. I guess that means I’m over the bah humbug and need to go dance a jig in the kitchen by the sink now. I hope I don’t spill my coffee.
Many blessings to you this THANKSgiving and thank you for letting me join the Nanahood party.
I’ve attached a link for a song my late husband wrote and we recorded about a decade ago. It hold special meaning to me for lots and lots of reasons. Hope you enjoy it.
Until next time…
Bio-Melinda Campbell is a retired educator who currently focuses her efforts on raising her two teenaged boys, advocating for individuals with special needs and against drunk driving, and serving in her local community. Melinda has been gaining recognition for her writings labeled “Reflections from my Kitchen Sink” since the tragic death of her husband Michael in 2015. In her stories, she shares observations from her daily life including moments she has as a solo parent, a widow, and a woman who battles significant health issues including fibromyalgia and depression.
