11/26/2024
ON THANKSGIVING, MY DAUGHTER, 5, THREW TURKEY ONTO THE FLOOR – WHEN I ASKED HER WHY, SHE SHOUTED, "I SAVED YOU ALL!"
My name is Margaret, and this Thanksgiving was supposed to be a celebration of family and gratitude. Our dining room was packed with my husband, our daughters (5 and 7), my parents, in-laws, siblings, and nieces and nephews — 14 people in total. Chaotic, but the good kind of chaos.
The moment had come to serve the turkey, golden brown and perfect. I carried it to the table, proud of my work. Just as I was about to carve, my 5-year-old daughter, Monica, tugged at my sleeve.
"Mommy, please don't eat it!" she said, her voice trembling. Thinking she was playing one of her animal-saving games, I smiled. "Not now, sweetie. We'll play later."
But before I could cut into it, Monica suddenly grabbed the platter and threw the turkey onto the floor. Gasps filled the room. My mother-in-law shrieked, "Why would you do that?"
Even I was stunned. "Monica! Oh no, what have you done?"
My father-in-law's voice boomed across the table. "Do you realize you just ruined Thanksgiving for everyone?"
Tears filled her eyes as she shouted, "I SAVED YOU ALL!" The room went silent. My heart sank. Monica never acted out like this. Kneeling beside her, I gently asked, "Sweetheart, what do you mean? Saved us from what?" 👇