Thanksgiving and Why The Pilgrims Didn’t Watch Football

As you read this you will detect a note of  cynicism, and my selfish opinions, but at the same time I will try to throw in some facts as I go along. As if we don’t have enough holidays in the United States, I’ve always thought of Thanksgiving Day as being way over rated. First of all, I am going to commit  a crime, and say: ” I am not a big fan of turkey, and I am not going to lie and act like it’s the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel.” And on another note, the folks from Plymouth Rock most likely did not  have turkey or anything remotely resembling a typical American dinner table.

     Fact is, the gang from Plymouth Rock more likely ate seafood and deer. Yes it’s true that they didn’t go to Walmart and pick out a Butterball turkey and load up on cranberry sauce and Mrs. Smith pies. For that matter, they most likely had few (if any) dessert dishes, nor the oven to bake them. I would also venture to say November in New England was a little too chilly to have a bunch of fresh veggies, although they did learn to dry corn. The point of their “celebration” was not to see how much one could eat, but to be thankful for having enough to eat.

     In my humble opinion, it seems that we have become programed to think of the holidays in general, as a time to buy a bunch of stuff we really can’t afford, put on a fake smile and pretend to like visiting our most annoying relatives, and then there is the “one upmanship,” or – in other words, trying to out do each other. There is no thanks involved at all, it’s about trying to watch the game, and regrets over having too much to eat, getting too drunk, and trying to figure out how many ways to fix left over turkey for the next two weeks.

     In closing, I will pose the question: Why not be thankful everyday for not being  homeless, starving, walking down the road, kicking a can, and talking to yourself? For the record: I am having ribs on the grill, and I am thankful for having enough propane gas to do it. I am also thankful for not spending money I don’t have – on a meal I don’t really like. Enjoy your holiday.