What Happened to Thanksgiving?

Originally Published Dec. 2012

While hurrying to the bathroom last night, I happened to look out my hallway window and was startled to see the trees of the apartment complex across the street all lit up for Christmas.  We just celebrated Halloween and according to the calendar, Christmas is over seven weeks away.  The stores have been advertising holiday gifts, decorations, and entertainment items since Labor Day.  Some restaurants even jumped the gun with all the fake greenery and red bows placed all over the booths and tables! 

I admit it.  I love Christmas.  I love decorating my home.  I love looking through the toy wish books with my grandchildren.  I love writing my Christmas letter.  I love singing Handel’s Messiah.  I love listening to all the carols and holiday music nonstop on the radio while in the car.  But, I don’t love it in November.

To me, Thanksgiving is the only saving grace for November.  November is depressing.  The leaves are gone.  The ground is brown and hard.  It’s cloudy all the time.  It’s dark by 5:00 in the afternoon.  It’s cold.  And, windy.  And, sometimes, snowy.   So, the only thing to look forward to in November – besides Norm’s birthday -- is Thanksgiving.  And, looking around me right now, I can’t find it!

What happened to Thanksgiving?  Why don’t we see any movies or “made for TV” shows about the Pilgrims or stories about being thankful for what we have?  I guess I want to see people celebrating A Walton’s Thanksgiving, again!   And, I don’t see it! 

My home is decorated in fall décor – colors such as orange, rust, brown, and gold are prevalent throughout each room.  Pumpkins, squash and other gourds are tastefully placed as centerpieces on the kitchen and dining room tables.  The smell of spices permeates the house as I bake apple pies and gingerbread. 

I’d like to think that I’m doing my part.  Thanksgiving is alive and well – at least at the McGraw household.   There will be thirteen people eating Thanksgiving dinner around our dining room table.  A turkey platter and napkin rings my mother made in her ceramics class forty years ago will be front and center on that table.  We will have the traditional food associated with Thanksgiving.  I will even roast a huge turkey breast the day before so we will have enough white meat.  And, according to Norm, I will make better gravy than his mother ever did! 

Let’s all slow down and enjoy the season we are in.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  And, on the day after Thanksgiving, I’d like to be the first to wish you Merry Christmas!