Thanksgiving Day has always been a large
part in my life, as it is in so many other people’s lives in this part of the
world. It is a time when families rejoin,
Christmas plans are hatched, gift hints are dropped and the aromas of seasonal
treats like turkey and Pecan pie fill the air. It is also a time when we
are reminded of what we looked like back in those early holiday photos and realize so
many of our table mates are no longer with us to share the special
occasion. Likewise, so many of the
traditional treats have also passed on with time; the pies now, were previously frozen, the
dressing came out of a box, and the hormone injected turkeys have breasts
larger than any pole dancers on the strip.
Each of the last few years has proven to
be an increasingly difficult struggle for me to keep the Thanksgiving tradition
alive. These awkward attempts have resulted in long distance traveling, dining
out, gathering groups at casino buffets, and yes, even frozen pies and boxed stuffing
in my own home. This year, a loud voice
in my head screamed a resounding, “Whoa! When is enough, enough”? I am after all, just an older man currently sharing
a parallel life with an older Boxer dog named Otis. We are both aging friends,
grateful for every new day, we again get to spend together.
It is for this very reason, I chose this
year, not to “indulge in the holiday festivities”, but rather to spend the day
quietly at home, walk the beach with
Otis, eat a huge meal and take a two hour cuddle nap with Otis until dusk. I am proud to report, the day turned out exactly
as planned and was most memorable. The
truth is, and I will admit it, today was like every other day…except… being
Thanksgiving, I did not cook a turkey, gather friends, travel or stand in line
at Best Buy for a Black Friday Deal. I
gave all that up this year to spend one more day with Otis, and that is what
made the day special for me. I am
thankful for this one “extra” day.
