When I was a kid, Thanksgiving was a favorite holiday of mine, despite the fact the entire family got drunk and disorderly.
I remember when my mother stabbed my father with her super-duper carving knife, delaying dinner till he returned from the emergency room.
Then there was the time my father slugged my Uncle Danny for sitting in his chair.
On more than one occasion the cops were called, my mother wooing them with drumsticks and enough cleavage to raise the Titanic.
Ah, memories.
The last formal Thanksgiving I attended was with my ex, at a friend of his in the Hamptons, a famous artist who, due to my exquisite manners, shall remain nameless. She too is a raving drunk, so after catering the whole thing from a high end gourmet store called Loaves and Fishes, I know…catchy isn’t it…she passed out on her bed and we all had to clean up.
That was it for me.
Now I spend the day with someone I can count on to be present, polite and just plain nice…me.
I’ll go to Whole Foods and buy three dozen cleaned shrimp, a lemon the size of Kansas, and cocktail sauce that will reduce my eyes to pinheads from all the salt. Hey, but it’s a holiday…a girl’s gotta live a little after all.
Then my books and I, will sit around the table giving thanks for all our blessings, like Tums and cold compresses to keep the swelling down.
But the star of the show?
Peace, cause you know what? That’s what Thanksgiving should be all about.
A heart at rest, grace in play…our heads bowed in gratitude.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone.
SB
You illustrate what a boring upbringing I had. I’ll raise a glass and give thanks for boring.
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That made me laugh. Like dining in the insane asylum. You’re funny.
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Considering my hands are cracking from cleaning products, and I just found what I believe was Turkey juice on my t-shirt after the participating in the first leg of the everything turkey marathon yesterday, a serving of peace with a side of sleep sounds delicious.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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To you too.
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Love it, Susannah. I also want peace and serenity in my life and I try to avoid drama at most cost. Happy Thanksgiving to a warm, cozy day!!
gmg
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Hi…so nice hearing from you. Yes, too bad we can’t buy peace over the counter with that 20 pound bird. Have a happy day…:)
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Your holiday was a rip roaring event! I don’t think I’ve ever been to a Thanksgiving that was that…um…lively! Have a great day. My day will be quiet too. I like it like that.
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Lively…now that’s a nice way of putting it…:)
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Your childhood Thanksgivings sound like fiction to me. I know they are very real to you, even now. We had my grandparents, and that was all. They were staid, sober people with Southern manners. Our celebrations were as quiet as could be. We will be 11 at the table tomorrow, and I suspect the conversations will be quite lively. All of them have a lively sense of humor and a stash of stories to share. If things get raucous, I’ll think of you sitting quietly with your books. Happy Thanksgiving!
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Love your aliterations. Staid, sober,southern manners. Stash of stories to share. Language is so soothing. Happy Thanksgiving Anne, to you and those you love.
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Susannah, we had loud Thanksgiving parties with my Bochi, all the aunts, uncles, and cousins every other year. It was a large group with my mom’s 4 sisters. Not a quiet moment to be found. On the off years we went to my father’s side of the family. He had one bachelor brother, ten years older. No cousins to be found. Talk about a quiet dinner. You can guess which we preferred!
With my four children and their families the boisterous Thanksgiving tradition continues. I can’t begin to count how many times we all end up crying .. from laughing so hard.
I will think of you while I eat the shrimp portion of our hors d’oeuvres.
Happy peaceful Thanksgiving!
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I can see it all now. I hope you and your Pookie-pie have a lovely day Skinny. You’re a treasure. Always remember that.
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I tried to send you a photo of all 10 of us around the table, but couldn’t figure out how.
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Would have loved to have seen that…:)
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Glad your Thanksgiving went as you wished. Our meal is this weekend. Mom and I had a dinner at Cracker Barrel last night – noisy, but fun.
Happy Holidays…
Scott
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Nice you were with your mom.
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Yes, I enjoyed the time.
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