05/11/2024
ARE WE "GIVING THANKS' OR WE JUST EATING?
The year was 1952 and I had achieved the age of 12. Thanksgiving was not promoted as it is as you read this. Visit the mall, Michael's, Walmart....Halloween was promoted far beyond its value. Even before the day came, all Halloween merchandise was on sale at...40, 60, 70, 80% off the stated retail price. In the first week in November almost all such stock was off the shelf with Christmas being set up with no regard for Thanksgiving. Why? People simply do not 'celebrate' Thanksgiving by way of costumes or 'gifts'. The gift that day is one of family, loved ones and friends and...yes! FOOD...the likes of which is seldom in the offering at other times of the year. Wait! Christmas does come close, but it very seldom meets nor surpasses that of the last Thanksgiving.
How many 'American Traditions' might we have left? It seems we're losing some, and many seem to have been 'watered-down' just a bit. May Day, where did it go? Remember the May Pole? There are eleven 'Official Holidays' observed as of 2024 and 85 recognized US 'Holidays' in total. Most of us find reason to celebrate only about 19 holidays. About 5% of the total.
Might I name those nineteen 'big' ones? (Well...15 of the 19) Here goes.... New Years Eve and Day, Christmas Eve and Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Easter, Valentines Day, Mothers & Fathers Day, Halloween Night, St. Patrick's Day, Memorial Day and...coming right up! Thanksgiving Day. Yes, there are others that are of great value to our nations many Religions, but, I write of the ones with which I am most familiar and most of them mandate FOOD!.
Yes....Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims celebrated a First Thanksgiving in October 1621. and it lasted three days. It was to celebrate the last year...not the forthcoming one. The USA Started in celebrating it off and on in 1789 and today, only the USA and Canada observe it. As that day approaches, allow me to address that one fine Holiday. Food...food and Family and lots of both is what it seems to be all about.
The menu varies, but some if not most will feature: Turkey, Ham, Cranberry Sauce in many forms, Dressing in many forms, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Pumpkin Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, Apple Pie, Rhubarb Pie, Deviled Eggs, Sweet pickles, Spring Onions, Black Olives, Iced Tea, Hot Coffee, maybe Ice Cream too! Wine is always welcome! (Red or White?) I would hope, that the feast began only after a Prayer usually said by ('The Man of the House') around the table as each and everyone in attendance joined hands to share in same with a resounding "Amen" at its closure. (Especially if Grandma & Granddaddy were in attendance.) I grew a bit bored when two or three Relatives gave their own "Thank you rendition." OMG! Let's just EAT!
Now, the experience gained from my much younger years...that is quite a lot to digest. Me? At the age of twelve, I found myself sitting at the grownup's table. Many a time, all the men in the gathering, myself now included, found themselves laying on the floor moaning with pleasure, taking a 'nap'...while what? Well....all the Moms, Sisters, Aunts...virtually every able Female was saddled with the task of cleaning everything up! Meanwhile the 'guys' go back for desert....it begins again? Geez...us 'Men'! Like eating out of their very own bowl of Popcorn all alone in front of the TV while shoving a fist full of the stuff in their mouth as if it might be taken from them without notice.
There was always a 'Children's Table' made available for the Little Ones. A Card Table perhaps, or the Breakfast Table maybe. Yes, in spite of all that is...there will be some whining, some discontent, maybe some over consumption of 'beverages' of one's choice. 'Uncle Bill" (insert a name here if you had one too) would find it necessary to (once again) apologize for his 'over indulgence' of the grain spirits.
Leftovers would be shared in take-home packages (we didn't have foil wrap....waxed paper filled the bill) while the Hosting House retained much to be 'recycled' during the coming days. Turkey sandwiches, Turkey Hash, Turkey Stew, Turkey Strata, Turkey Casserole, Turkey Tetrazzini, more Turkey Sandwiches and finally...well, you might add your own 'concoction' here.
With all that? Well...Christmas is now on the menu and we may well repeat the process but possibly with much less vigor....why is that? Because...you just might find yourself, among many others... with a weight gain of 7-10 pounds, finding the need to 'go on a diet'! (Smiley Face here.)
Dear reader...we, as a Nation, as a Family, as individuals are being blessed with good friends in addition to the abundance of the 'groceries' made available for our choosing and consumption, should truly express our "Thanks" for far more than what I have brought to you in print.. Lastly: Might you find good reason to give thanks to the Person, the Spirit or Supreme Being of your choice. With that said in closing....might you add a comment of what your experiences, the menu you shared , your thoughts about that day? Thanks For Giving! © Lanny Fuettere
Award winning On-camera actor and voice-over artist with over 635 bookings to his credit. He serves
