Square Buckles and Squared-Toed Shoes

Thanksgiving is a time of family and a time of reflection. Most people are either traveling to or hosting a Thanksgiving dinner. These gatherings tend to be large affairs where there is sometimes a little tension, maybe a few arguments and a social problem or two. I used to always drink before these gatherings thinking a little alcohol would make these gathering a little easier to tolerate. Now, I don't drink and stick to talk of sports and weather. This year I'll do my best to avoid discussion of politics, health care and any language related to Obama!
As the year winds down we all prepare ourselves for the year to come and that usually includes thinking about next year's Thanksgiving. Will it be the same, will the next year be filled only with joy? Probably not but one thing is for sure, there will be a turkey carcass on the table next year. If only that turkey could talk. It's last words would probably be "I'll see you all in hell". Thank goodness turkeys can only gobble! We don't have to worry about being sentenced to a life of damnation just because we ate a poor defenseless bird. So as the time of thanks unfolds be kind to all those turkeys in your life and try to put a smile on their face. They all make sacrifices just like we do.
So if there is a turkey or two at your gathering who's skin is as thin as paper just let them gobble all they want. Let then flap their wing and strut around the room and remember to talk only of sports and weather or next year you may be the turkey.
Why do I really love Thanksgiving? It's not about memories of Pilgrim garb of square buckles and square-toed shoes. It's not about the festive holiday colors of brown and orange. It's not about a dish of barely eaten vegetables setting next to a madder than hell turkey. It's all about the dressing stupid! I do love Thanksgiving dressing, just give me a plate to go. Seriously now, I love the holiday because it brings family together. Even though I don't see them often or talk to them as often as I should I still love them all and that includes all the turkeys in my life. Now if I could only find out what the host did with all the leftover dressing my Thanksgiving would be complete.