vintage post: thanksgiving, the rodney dangerfield of holidays

Note: This post was originally published in November of 2010, year One of the blog. It is one of my favorite early posts. I thought it would be fun to dust it off and trot it out for everyone to see. Again. 

      Just as the Halloween frenzy fades, Christmas decorations are allowed to blatantly take over the world. Visions of sugarplums are dancing well before the beginning of December.
     The overhead speakers in every store chortle a selection of distorted carols. And my favorite of all the holidays, the humble, loveable underdog is again, getting NO respect.

     As I contemplate the menu, count tables and chairs and pencil out a guest list, retail stores are exploding with holly and ivy. Even a few of my friends are mulling over the question, "Is it too early to put up the tree?"
     I am horrified by the thought of putting up a Christmas tree in early November. I just want to stand up as tall as my five foot-three frame will allow and shout, "This is the Thanksgiving police. Step away from the tinsel!"    

     What about the Pilgrims and the Indians? The endless types of pie, the savory stuffing and the rice and gravy?? It's not just any gravy. It's TURKEY gravy, people. Pure gold!
     What about deep, red cranberry relish with grated orange peel, tiny brussel sprouts sauteed with garlic and whole fingerling sweet potatoes, oven roasted and sprinkled with brown sugar, cinnamon and sea salt?

     We should be reminiscing about smiles on the faces of beloved family around our table. Or mulling over which orphaned friends have no one to dine with. We should be pondering our gratefulness to God for just one day, before we get sucked into the great commercial vortex of holiday shopping.

     Seldom do we stop and smell the turkey. We forget to be thankful on a daily basis. Thankful for our health, of getting up one more day and breathing in air. Thankful for our disfunctional families that alternately drive us insane or fill us with joy and wonder.

     Thankful for the country in which we live, for freedoms purchased with the blood of many brave souls. Even thankful for our seemingly inept government officials, which WE, the people put in places of power.

     So, in spite of what the rest of the country is doing, I will be here organizing acorns and pinecones, stacking firewood, ironing napkins, picking pecans and calling people I love.
     I will light candles, get out the serving platters, fill bowls with candy corn and whole hazelnuts. I will bathe the dogs, shake rugs, fluff pillows and get out folding chairs.
     I will eat too much, talk a lot, listen more, play in the yard with the kids, take a little tryptophan induced nap, and say, Mmmmm too many times to count. I will be very, very thankful for one whole day... before heading to the woods on Friday to pick out my tree.

     It's Thanksgiving season, y'all... Santa can wait;)